as in plausible
worthy of being accepted as true or reasonable
in that climate of fear, an accusation alone was presumptive evidence of guilt
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Recent Examples of presumptive
Most damning of all is that her body was found hog-tied in a conspicuously similar fashion as Reynolds’ previous presumptive victim, Bunny Davis.
—
Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Jan. 2026
Tetairoa McMillan surpassed Kelvin Benjamin as the Panthers’ rookie receiving yardage leader, but the presumptive Offensive Rookie of the Year had a quiet game against the Rams in November.
—Joseph Person, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Lewis received the presumptive sentence under state sentencing guidelines, according to a spokesman for the Washington County Attorney’s Office.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 7 Jan. 2026
By that time, the presumptive host city has already gone through a lengthy vetting process.
—Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for presumptive
Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Jan. 2026
Tetairoa McMillan surpassed Kelvin Benjamin as the Panthers’ rookie receiving yardage leader, but the presumptive Offensive Rookie of the Year had a quiet game against the Rams in November.
—Joseph Person, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Lewis received the presumptive sentence under state sentencing guidelines, according to a spokesman for the Washington County Attorney’s Office.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 7 Jan. 2026
By that time, the presumptive host city has already gone through a lengthy vetting process.
—Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for presumptive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for presumptive
Adjective
-
By my count, more than half of the 2026 Best Picture nominees have a plausible case for being the villain to somebody.—
Nate Jones,
Vulture,
31 Jan. 2026
-
That’s the sort of transaction that’s much more plausible in the offseason.—
The Athletic NHL Staff,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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With many investors seeing Warsh as a highly credible pick, markets had little reaction to Friday’s news.—
Eleanor Mueller,
semafor.com,
31 Jan. 2026
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Supporting credible transition pathways is therefore not aid or charity.—
Maria Mendiluce,
Time,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The brain takes the probable and turns into possible (binary).—
Marshall Shepherd,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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Usual starting center Neemias Queta was active after being listed as probable with an illness, but head coach Joe Mazzulla rolled with the rookie, whose clutch plays in overtime Friday night helped Boston put away the Nets.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Presumptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/presumptive. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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