premise 1 of 2

noun

ˈpre-məs How to pronounce premise (audio)
variants also premiss
Definition of premisenext
1
as in assumption
something taken as being true or factual and used as a starting point for a course of action or reasoning your conclusion is all wrong because you started out with a false premise

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in ground
premises plural the area around and belonging to a building detectives painstakingly searched the premises for clues to the disappearance

Synonyms & Similar Words

premise

2 of 2

verb

ˈpre-məs How to pronounce premise (audio)
as in to say
to take as true or as a fact without actual proof let us premise certain things, such as every person's need for love, before beginning our line of reasoning

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 premise
Noun
Changing temperature settings can compromise entire storage facilities without requiring physical access to supermarket premises. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2026 Uninterested Woman Game Show A classic game show premise, where our contestants are three scuzzy-looking men (Inde Navarrette, Jane Wickline, and Sarah Sherman) who really cannot just leave a married lesbian named Kelly (Saidah Belo-Osagie) alone. — Rima Parikh, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2026
Verb
In fiction, spoiler alerts exist to protect the reader experience, premised on the idea that knowing a story’s outcome will reduce momentum and suspense. — Beverly Gage, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026 The result is a haunting portrait of social collapse whose power is premised on the words and faces of survivors. — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for premise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for premise
  1. assumption
  2. ground
  3. say
  4. theory
  5. yard
  6. assume
  7. park
  8. presume
Noun
  • The firm also cut its price target to $11 from $13 and raised its fuel expense assumption for the third quarter to about $207 million.
    — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
  • This assumption is oversimplified, and the problem is partly one of accounting.
    — Ben Vanpeperstraete, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of assumption
Noun
  • These connections replicate those planned for the tokamak and will allow engineers to assess the magnet’s high-voltage ground insulation.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The spot sparked national bipartisan backlash on grounds that Acton's mother had lost custody of her children decades ago after her husband, their stepfather, was indicted for raping Acton as a child.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of ground
Verb
  • Portavadie, Argyll Situated on the banks of Loch Fyne on Scotland’s west coast, Portavadie is home to what is thought to be the biggest heated outdoor infinity pool in the country, said Rachel Dixon in The Guardian.
    — Will Barker, TheWeek, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Sébastien Guérémy, Thales‘ vice president of Underwater Systems, said the exercise demonstrated how different autonomous platforms and specialized equipment could operate within one framework.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of say
Noun
  • In one prominent theory, the defining feature of introspection is that it’s based on particular mental representations of other thoughts.
    — Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Attorney General Todd Blanche subscribes to the unitary executive theory that does not recognize or allow the independence of government lawyers from the president.
    — David Baldacci, Vanity Fair, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of theory
Noun
  • Phillips caught a bad break when her approach to the green hit a tree branch on its upward flight and dropped 20 yards short of the green.
    — Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Delane’s return is more important given Smith has been brilliant at throwing the deep ball, with 565 yards gained on passes of 20-plus air yards.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of yard
Verb
  • One where experiential equity is built in from the beginning, where disabled fans are assumed to be an integral part of the audience, and where live music becomes more expansive.
    — Maribeth Romslo, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Instead of assuming that alien civilizations must communicate through elaborate messages, scientists could first look for signals whose patterns appear deliberately different from their natural surroundings.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of assume
Noun
  • In the middle of the park, visible from the terrace of the restaurant, is a museum dedicated to the work of modernist sculptor Wilhelm Lehmbruck, designed by the artist’s son Manfred in 1957.
    — Kristian Vistrup Madsen, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026
  • In Palm Beach County, Amendment 3 could mean higher fees for beach parking, water, sewer, police, fire, parks, museums and libraries, and longer response times for emergency services.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of park
Verb
  • The motion noted that Brockway gave an officer a residence key that was later given to another officer who presumed it to imply consent for entry.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Iris is presumed to have been painted in the open air circa 1924–25, near the end of the artist’s life.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of presume

Browse Nearby Words

premierships
premise
premised
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Cite this Entry

“Premise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/premise. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

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