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
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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
-
They are sometimes fully clothed, sometimes less so—bare-breasted and bare-bottomed, coquettishly posed, festooned with kitschy props—unabashedly immodest in every sense of the word.—
Bryan Barcena,
Artforum,
1 Mar. 2026
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The immodest middle section celebrates their grandson, Charles V, who commissioned this facade and decorated it with the complex coat of arms of the mighty Habsburg Empire.—
Rick Steves,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
This is an organization that can be frustratingly set in its ways and arrogant in its belief that there’s no better way.—
Jeff Zrebiec,
New York Times,
10 Mar. 2026
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Planning for more than 11 contests out of Dobbins, something only produced twice over his first six NFL seasons, isn’t just arrogant.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The fact is, in a newsroom full of meddlesome, sometimes pushy people, Beverly was none of that.—
Brad Schmitt,
Nashville Tennessean,
20 Oct. 2025
-
The special ops unit chases every lead possible, from bribes to Mexican drug cartels, a meddlesome L.A. District Attorney (Merrick McCartha) and corruption in the government of Belarus.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
25 June 2025
Adjective
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But a closer look will reveal why this is actually one of the boldest fashion moments of the 2026 Oscars.—
Madeline Dangmann,
Glamour,
16 Mar. 2026
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Use more than five bold-type words.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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And the less said of the poorly mixed, pompous Machina, the better.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
3 Mar. 2026
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The pompous clergyman enters the life of the Bennet family, his distant cousins, with the assumption that, given his respectable position and benefactor, Lady Catherine De Bourgh, one of those daughters would be happy to marry him.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The former is the nerdier, more officious type in his bow tie and sport coat, the latter more rakish, a one-time rabble rouser who’s just happy to have something interesting to do.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Aug. 2025
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Fast & Furious is notable for adding the character Gisele (Gal Gadot) and smaller players like Shea Whigham's officious Stasiak.—
Declan Gallagher,
EW.com,
18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Senior forward Tyler Bourgea’s record-breaking scoring numbers and cinematic playmaking helps rank him among the very best players in the state.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
14 Mar. 2026
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Look for Tyson to continue wearing different hats as the Cavs reorient around James Harden and figure out the forward rotation.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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And The Row’s appeal at first seemed like a pretentious effort to keep the TikTok crowd from gaping at its founders Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s it-shoes and fab-drab tailoring.—
Rachel Tashjian,
CNN Money,
12 Mar. 2026
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She had been blamed for breaking up the greatest band of all time; her art was pretentious and nonsensical; her music was unlistenable.—
Sadie Sartini Garner,
Pitchfork,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Presumptuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/presumptuous. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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