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presume

verb

pri-ˈzüm How to pronounce presume (audio)
Definition of presumenext
1
as in to assume
to form an opinion from little or no evidence I presume you'll fly if you do go

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to say
to take as true or as a fact without actual proof we should presume that a person is innocent until proven guilty

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 presume Society perceives fathers who kill to be evil, but certain mothers appear to be presumed mentally ill. — Dr. Susan Hatters Friedman, Hartford Courant, 23 Aug. 2026 Throwing a stiff arm on Patrick Mahomes’ presumed flavor of choice is hardly tasteless. — Jess Bryant, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 According to the Public Policy Institute of California, 79% of the state’s jail population are unsentenced and waiting for trial, meaning the vast majority of inmates in jail are people still presumed innocent. — Evelyn Ronan, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2026 Biological parents who create embryos are presumed to be the parents in any dispute. — Arthur L. Caplan, STAT, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for presume
Recent Examples of Synonyms for presume
  1. assume
  2. say
  3. guess
  4. believe
  5. suppose
  6. think
  7. suspect
Verb
  • On the other hand, some royal enthusiasts believe Meghan won’t be as reckless as people assume.
    — Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Rather than assuming one is more affordable or comprehensive than the other, compare the specific coverages, exclusions, deductibles, premiums and repair-shop requirements between any two plans.
    — Brian Sloan, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of assume
Verb
  • Kanin said its waste heat systems are designed to produce baseload electricity that can be supplied directly to industrial facilities or local power buyers.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2026
  • The four were acquitted on six charges of crimes against humanity because the judges said the prosecutors failed to prove that crimes were committed as part of a widespread and systematic attack on civilians.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of say
Verb
  • For example, the panel might guess which voice actor is pretending to be a child in a group of real children or which couple will be signing divorce papers by the end of the episode.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Director Chloe Okuno builds an atmosphere of dread, keeps the audience guessing and subtly underlines the film’s message about gaslighting and misogyny.
    — David Faris, TheWeek, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of guess
Verb
  • Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said Monday in a post on X that the Polish army recovered what was believed to be a Russian military drone from the Baltic Sea near the coastal village of Jaroslawiec.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Many believe that the reason the good opportunities have seemingly disappeared is because the market is too crowded.
    — Justin Donald, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of believe
Verb
  • How was he supposed to cope with the physicality of English football?
    — Amitai Winehouse, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • With the Television Academy having declared their intent to turn the Emmy Awards into a more cohesive entity, the ceremony once known as the Creative Arts Emmy Awards is now just supposed to be called The Emmys.
    — Joe Reid, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of suppose
Verb
  • During our time there, we were treated to a three-course chef’s tasting menu that was a paean to the summer; think a profusion of tomatoes, stone fruit, local soft cheeses, and edible flowers.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026
  • For example, both the United States and China plan to build bases near the moon's south pole, which is thought to harbor large amounts of water ice.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of think
Verb
  • Authorities have identified the victim and suspect in a recent fatal Rosemont shooting that led to a three-hour standoff with Sheriff’s Deputies.
    — Vince Basada, Sacbee.com, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Police arrest an armed man suspected of lunging at an Ohio gubernatorial candidate.
    — Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of suspect

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presume
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Cite this Entry

“Presume.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/presume. Accessed 18 Sep. 2026.

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