1
as in immodest
showing a lack of proper social reserve or modesty
it's a little presumptuous of you to assume that I'm your new best friend just because I invited you along
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in arrogant
having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude
the presumptuous doctor didn't even bother to explain to me the treatment that I would be receiving
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in meddlesome
thrusting oneself where one is not welcome or invited
the presumptuous salesclerk started picking out some very expensive accessories for the outfit I had just chosen
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of presumptuous
The mother took him in, pitying his orphan status and appreciating his straightforward manners, neither servile nor presumptuous, but respectful and unembarrassed and warm.
—
Daniyal Mueenuddin, New Yorker, 23 Nov. 2025
The request felt presumptuous, especially given the logistics involved.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 13 Nov. 2025
On its face, this behavior is perplexing, presumptuous even.
—R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 11 Oct. 2025
Thanks in advance' This phrase can seem presumptuous, undermining the other person's ability to say no.
—Melody Wilding, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for presumptuous
Daniyal Mueenuddin, New Yorker, 23 Nov. 2025
The request felt presumptuous, especially given the logistics involved.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 13 Nov. 2025
On its face, this behavior is perplexing, presumptuous even.
—R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 11 Oct. 2025
Thanks in advance' This phrase can seem presumptuous, undermining the other person's ability to say no.
—Melody Wilding, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for presumptuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for presumptuous
Adjective
-
The passage is incoherent, yet, in conflating progressive reform with arrogant blind faith, it is perfectly suited to Vance’s cynical conservatism.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
19 June 2026
-
To no one’s surprise, Bonnie is immediately transfixed by her Lilypad (voiced by Greta Lee, whose arrogant smarm effectively threads the needle between Maya Hawke’s Anxiety and Regina George’s everything else).—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
The Food Processor quickly chops, slices, and shreds a wide array of ingredients for unlimited culinary creations, while the Coffee & Spice Grinder efficiently grinds coffee beans, spices, and herbs for superior flavor and potency.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 June 2026
-
In both of their victories thus far at the 2026 World Cup, the Americans have been, by far, the superior all-around team.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
20 June 2026
Adjective
-
Cohen said Humble Robotics is working to make cabless vehicles applicable to public roads, particularly those surrounding the busy ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
21 June 2026
-
If there is a busy period during the day, let children know in advance and then follow through by setting aside time later to connect.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
20 June 2026
Adjective
-
Most smug articles and books that claim to provide quick fixes come off as tone-deaf or even counterproductive.—
Anna Holmes,
The Atlantic,
27 May 2026
-
But the series’ central character, played by Rachel Weisz, has enough nervous, itchy, manic energy to make the show’s narrative structure feel purposely unstable rather than safely smug.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
Not to sound pretentious, but Elwood Dowd is sort of like a Christlike figure.—
Scott Feinberg,
HollywoodReporter,
4 June 2026
-
Set the scene Sexy without being pretentious and bold without the brashness, Il Sereno is a lesson in artful restraint.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
Lee will play Maya, the officious Chief of Staff for the Governor of Oklahoma.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
18 May 2026
-
Her Southern accent is slightly clipped and officious, the type of drawl that’s a stamp of a suburban upbringing.—
Alex Morris,
Rolling Stone,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Mamdani, proud of his socialist values, had developed a language for communicating a collective, interdependent vision of city life through his consistent emphasis on affordability.—
Hua Hsu,
New Yorker,
22 June 2026
-
This is also where the film dips into the past and becomes awash in the proud history of Hawaiian surfing, bowing at the legend of the great Duke Kahanamoku and going deep into others and how the sport became such a religion for many, notably devotee Kristen.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
22 June 2026
Adjective
-
Among them a City boy wearing three Fit-Bit-type devices, two beautiful Middle Eastern sisters, an outrageously pompous elderly American (sorry; eavesdropping), and several Imelda Marcos lookalikes, tottering out of the treatment rooms with, somehow, their elaborate hairstyles still intact.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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The usually pompous Victory Day Parade in Moscow on May 9th had to be pared down for fear of Ukrainian drones.—
Natasha Lindstaedt,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Presumptuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/presumptuous. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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