presumptive

adjective

pri-ˈzəm(p)-tiv How to pronounce presumptive (audio)
Definition of presumptivenext
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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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 presumptive Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti, the youngest of the king's children, is the presumptive heir because sons take precedence in Thailand's line of succession. — CBS News, 12 June 2026 His youngest son, 21-year-old Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti, is the presumptive heir because sons take precedence over daughters. — Daniel S. Levine, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026 Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti, the youngest of the king’s children, is the presumptive heir because sons take precedence in Thailand's line of succession. — ABC News, 11 June 2026 The presumptive frontrunner in the GOP contest is Bobby Charles, an attorney and former Navy intelligence officer. — The Npr Network, NPR, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for presumptive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for presumptive
  1. plausible
  2. credible
  3. probable
Adjective
  • Effective scenario planning involves targeted questions, thorough analysis of plausible and extreme futures, and mandatory cross-functional collaboration, often leveraging AI and comprehensive data.
    — Jim DeLoach, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • The present-day context is in many ways unique because the balance of power in Lebanon has shifted in ways that make Hezbollah’s disarmament – and a historic Lebanese settlement with Israel – more politically plausible than at any point in decades.
    — Anthony Wanis-St John, The Conversation, 10 July 2026
Definition of plausible
Adjective
  • The theme of the Platner campaign became don’t believe these women until Monday, when a detailed and credible accusation of rape confounded the excuse makers beyond their considerable power to slime women who had stories to tell about Platner.
    — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 11 July 2026
  • The original Type 093 and the improved Type 093A gave the People’s Liberation Army Navy a more credible attack-submarine capability than earlier Chinese designs.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 11 July 2026
Definition of credible
Adjective
  • Verbeek also has lost four key defensemen — captain Radko Gudas, Jacob Trouba, John Carlson and Olen Zellweger — in the past month while adding only journeyman Nick Jensen as a probable replacement.
    — Greg Beacham, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Lowe’s matchup is arguably the best for hitting a home run on Saturday’s MLB slate, given the sample sizes of the probable pitchers.
    — Josh Shepardson, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of probable

Browse Nearby Words

presumptions
presumptive
presumptuous
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Cite this Entry

“Presumptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/presumptive. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on presumptive

Nglish: Translation of presumptive for Spanish Speakers

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