postulate 1 of 2

Definition of postulatenext
as in assumption
something taken as being true or factual and used as a starting point for a course of action or reasoning one of the postulates that the true agnostic rejects is the assumption that it is even possible for us to know whether God exists

Synonyms & Similar Words

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postulate

2 of 2

verb

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of postulate
Noun
The reason, the authors of a new study postulate, has to do with light pollution. New Atlas, 21 Aug. 2025 Now, tangible results have emerged in a field replete with postulates and presumptions. Jenna Ahart, Quanta Magazine, 2 July 2025
Verb
Though archaeologists haven’t confirmed any of the theories, some have postulated a symbolic function, a site of initiation rituals, or spiritual retreats. Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 1 Feb. 2026 Fluorescence microscopy—a biologist’s window into the cell—had hit the diffraction limit of about 200 nanometers (or roughly half the wavelength of visible light), which had been postulated a century earlier by physicist Ernst Abbe. IEEE Spectrum, 13 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for postulate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for postulate
Noun
  • Don’t rely on assumptions or shortcuts.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2026
  • According to data from MarineTraffic, 37 total vessels transited under the assumption that the strait was safe to transit.
    Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The high temperature runs about five to 10 degrees below average for Patriots Day, the meteorologist said.
    Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 20 Apr. 2026
  • Good Jobs First said in most cases, states are failing to disclose incentives in violation of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board, a private organization that sets financial reporting standards for state and local governments.
    Kevin Hardy, Baltimore Sun, 20 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • In theory, this could be a standard beauty modification, like Ingres tossing a few extra vertebrae into a naked back.
    Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
  • But the general idea is that there is a lot of stuff in the universe that is not the familiar matter that we are made of, and there are theories in which this stuff is not entirely benign.
    Richard Edwards, Space.com, 19 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Many assume its American branch is a similar money pit.
    Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 23 Apr. 2026
  • So our guys moved up, assuming it was not caught.
    Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The hypothesis is supported by previous research that found that computer programmers become slower when using AI.
    Sharon Adarlo, Futurism, 15 Apr. 2026
  • Then a perusal of several studies that spanned decades and oceans made my hypothesis cloudy enough to blot out that April Fools’ Day moon.
    Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 12 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Up in the upper deck along the left field side, a young girl in a Mangum jersey was seated next to a young boy, presumed to be her older brother, wearing a team cap with his mitt ready.
    Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2026
  • It’s presumed that this summer will be his final run with the Argentinian national team in the World Cup.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Detectives believe Rodriguez took the man's body, drove nearly 100 miles away to Highland and dumped the man's body in the road.
    Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
  • The islands are home to a very conservative branch of Calvinism which believes deeply in the Sabbath.
    Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The Ngogo researchers hypothesize that the death of several chimps due to unknown causes in 2014, a 2015 change in the alpha male and a respiratory epidemic in 2017 had led social ties to weaken and the group to splinter.
    Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
  • The researchers hypothesized that people on private health insurance were more likely to be enrolled in clinical research trials and were able to find doctors more easily than those on public health insurance.
    Ciara McCarthy April 20, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2026

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“Postulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/postulate. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.

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