1
as in arrogant
having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude
it's rather presuming of you to expect to be our first choice for the award
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in familiar
showing a lack of proper social reserve or modesty
I thought it presuming of him to think that we would invite him along
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in busy
thrusting oneself where one is not welcome or invited
some presuming waiter thought that it was his business to tell the expectant mother that she shouldn't be having even one glass of wine
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in assuming
to form an opinion from little or no evidence
I presume you'll fly if you do go
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in saying
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
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Recent Examples of presuming
CBS News, 19 June 2026
There is an assumption of arrogance, of high expectations, of going into every major tournament presuming their team will win it.
—Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 10 June 2026
Even more hilariously, 54 percent of Democrats went as far as presuming that even an 8-year-old boy could throw down his lunchbox and get the job done.
—Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 16 May 2026
Think about more positive interpretations before presuming someone is insulting you.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 12 Apr. 2026
Later, when Shell expressed appreciation, Cipriani pitched Star Serenade, initially over the phone — presuming the executive would, at the least, boost its chance for an inside track at a green light.
—Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2026
The risk is in presuming that anything subversive or sensational is also true and meaningful, and that anything conventional is a lie that must be smashed down.
—Laura K. Field, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026
The letter was apparently unconvincing, and the search began again, with detectives presuming suicide.
—Emily Krauser, PEOPLE, 18 Jan. 2026
Crumb defended the work as criticism of those stereotypes, presuming that people familiar with his art would get the point.
—David Zane Mairowitz, Rolling Stone, 22 Dec. 2025
Verb
Back home, monks had already begun performing last rite rituals for him, as his devout Buddhist wife and daughter mourned him, presuming him dead.
—CBS News, 19 June 2026
There is an assumption of arrogance, of high expectations, of going into every major tournament presuming their team will win it.
—Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 10 June 2026
Even more hilariously, 54 percent of Democrats went as far as presuming that even an 8-year-old boy could throw down his lunchbox and get the job done.
—Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 16 May 2026
Think about more positive interpretations before presuming someone is insulting you.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 12 Apr. 2026
Later, when Shell expressed appreciation, Cipriani pitched Star Serenade, initially over the phone — presuming the executive would, at the least, boost its chance for an inside track at a green light.
—Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2026
The risk is in presuming that anything subversive or sensational is also true and meaningful, and that anything conventional is a lie that must be smashed down.
—Laura K. Field, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026
The letter was apparently unconvincing, and the search began again, with detectives presuming suicide.
—Emily Krauser, PEOPLE, 18 Jan. 2026
Crumb defended the work as criticism of those stereotypes, presuming that people familiar with his art would get the point.
—David Zane Mairowitz, Rolling Stone, 22 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for presuming
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
-
Construction outside the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center has become a familiar sight in downtown Dallas since July 2025.—
Dawn White,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
-
The park has seven lands − all tied to franchises kids are already familiar with.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
19 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
Verb
-
Liability insurance costs also rise dramatically — assuming coverage can be obtained in a state facing a severe insurance crisis — further reducing funds available for essential services.—
Kim Gorsuch,
Sun Sentinel,
16 June 2026
-
That works out to roughly four reusable water bottles per day for men and about three for women, assuming bottles are in the standard 24- to 32-ounce range.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
Alicent mistakenly believed Viserys was talking about their son Aegon II, saying Aegon II should be on the throne after Viserys dies, which lead to the Dance of the Dragons civil war.—
Skyler Trepel,
PEOPLE,
22 June 2026
-
In days past, saying that communism was a mistake would have earned the artist a one-way ticket to Siberia.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 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
-
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
-
This may be considered presumptuous considering the tote first appeared on the scene only in 2018, but Mary Kate and Ashley’s creation has already catapulted itself into classic status.—
Ariel Bielsky,
InStyle,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Nothing at Gwyn is overly presumptuous, though; in fact, the clothing still retains a markedly Cali-cool identity, which is to say it’s rooted in minimalism.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Presuming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/presuming. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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