presumption

noun

pri-ˈzəm(p)-shən How to pronounce presumption (audio)
Definition of presumptionnext
1
as in gall
shameless boldness shocked by his presumption in insisting that we buy his raffle tickets

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in assumption
something taken as being true or factual and used as a starting point for a course of action or reasoning the presumption of innocence

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 presumption The presumption was the decor would involve tons of flowers, given the elaborate floral arrangements surrounding Swift when Kelce proposed to her in his Leawood backyard last summer. — Lisa Gutierrez july 7, Kansas City Star, 7 July 2026 Glazer reminded him of the presumption of innocence and told him not to discuss what happened during his arrest, only to speak privately with his attorney. — Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 2 July 2026 For many years, there was the presumption that content and pipeline/distribution companies should never come together, a lesson well borne out by history. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 30 June 2026 The presumption of innocence was used by Queiroz to justify the decision to include Partey in Ghana’s World Cup squad and by Spanish club Villarreal to justify his signing last summer as a free agent. — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 27 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for presumption
Recent Examples of Synonyms for presumption
  1. gall
  2. assumption
  3. nerve
  4. arrogance
  5. confidence
  6. presumptuousness
  7. audacity
  8. assurance
Noun
  • To tell if an abnormal growth on a tree is a burl or a gall, compare the outer surface and texture of the growth.
    — Pamm Cooper, Hartford Courant, 25 July 2026
  • Many of the trees with the OXO gene unexpectedly developed large abnormal growths called galls, grew slower and showed other symptoms of poor health.
    — Steve Strauss, The Conversation, 22 July 2026
Definition of gall
Noun
  • These failures stemmed not from new vulnerabilities, but from basic security flaws like weak passwords and unauthenticated endpoints, and reliance on assumptions over robust controls.
    — Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Your assumption that your pension isn’t safe may not be true, and a good attorney may be able to help protect it.
    — Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of assumption
Noun
  • Chili introduces capsaicin, which activates nerves responsible for sensing heat rather than taste.
    — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
  • The stage was set this past summer, and Lincoln Riley was a ball of nerves.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
Definition of nerve
Noun
  • However, confidence can quickly turn into arrogance, so remember to stay grounded.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026
  • The combination of arrogance and doctored intelligence that led the United States and its allies into the 2003 Iraq War is almost made for Hollywood.
    — David Faris, TheWeek, 27 July 2026
Definition of arrogance
Noun
  • In a post on X, Kono, former defense minister under the Abe administration, warned that the plan could undermine confidence in Japan's fiscal position, push interest rates higher and weaken the yen.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The government says the new framework will improve investor confidence by making decisions more predictable while protecting climate integrity and ensuring local communities benefit from carbon market projects.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of confidence
Noun
  • Aggie is appalled at Nile’s presumptuousness, his entitlement.
    — Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2025
  • Optimistic Miami Dolphins fans — assuming there are any left right now; forgive the presumptuousness — could find a way to be (relatively) encouraged coming out of Thursday night’s game.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2025
Definition of presumptuousness
Noun
  • Mars will also return to your sign this month, which not only gives you the nerve, but the emotional audacity to take a stand.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Perhaps a handful of trolls—a small group that includes the richest man in the world—has sworn off Nolan’s film because its cast has the audacity to feature both a Black woman and a trans man.
    — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 19 July 2026
Definition of audacity
Noun
  • On deadline day, unsettling for many, Abrams had the look of a man who was calmed by his boss’ assurances.
    — Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Every additional interaction increases operating costs while providing little assurance of stronger products or happier customers.
    — Michael Edmondson, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of assurance

Browse Nearby Words

presuming
presumption
presumptions
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Presumption.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/presumption. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on presumption

Nglish: Translation of presumption for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of torpor

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All