1
as in immodest
showing a lack of proper social reserve or modesty
it's a little presumptuous of you to assume that I'm your new best friend just because I invited you along
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in arrogant
having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude
the presumptuous doctor didn't even bother to explain to me the treatment that I would be receiving
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in meddlesome
thrusting oneself where one is not welcome or invited
the presumptuous salesclerk started picking out some very expensive accessories for the outfit I had just chosen
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of presumptuous
From rowdy behavior to overcrowding, tourists have earned a bad rap from locals – with Americans often seen as some of the loudest and presumptuous ones – but a new survey reveals whether Europeans actually agree.
—
Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 23 July 2025
Well, living in the present tense is perhaps being a bit presumptuous for Felicity, but which sister murdered whom and is now impersonating them is for Charlie to sort out.
—Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 9 May 2025
In the comments, many readers agreed that the boyfriend's sister is being presumptuous and unreasonable by asking the couple to put their plans on hold for her wedding.
—Erin Clack, People.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Maybe some person will be presumptuous enough to wonder aloud what might have influenced the plot of this book.
—Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for presumptuous
Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 23 July 2025
Well, living in the present tense is perhaps being a bit presumptuous for Felicity, but which sister murdered whom and is now impersonating them is for Charlie to sort out.
—Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 9 May 2025
In the comments, many readers agreed that the boyfriend's sister is being presumptuous and unreasonable by asking the couple to put their plans on hold for her wedding.
—Erin Clack, People.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Maybe some person will be presumptuous enough to wonder aloud what might have influenced the plot of this book.
—Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for presumptuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for presumptuous
Adjective
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His own immodest needs included regular meals at some of Midtown Manhattan’s finest restaurants, including Per Se, Jean-Georges, Masa and Marea, according to prosecutors.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
19 Aug. 2025
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Unlike Swimply, Shvimply’s interface removes any imagery that could be considered immodest.—
Kathy Kristof,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Three or four decades ago, the newspaperman was appealingly raffish—at once a bum who drank too much and a knight-errant who charged unafraid at social injustice, succored the weak, and crossed lances with the powerful and arrogant.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
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Elsewhere, the details lifted from the book suffer in translation – Branagh’s Victor is appropriately arrogant but not adequately tortured; De Niro’s Monster is sensitive and intuitive, but drowns in the film’s hurried, hollow second half.—
Rory Doherty,
Vulture,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The fact is, in a newsroom full of meddlesome, sometimes pushy people, Beverly was none of that.—
Brad Schmitt,
Nashville Tennessean,
20 Oct. 2025
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The special ops unit chases every lead possible, from bribes to Mexican drug cartels, a meddlesome L.A. District Attorney (Merrick McCartha) and corruption in the government of Belarus.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
25 June 2025
Adjective
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Add to this Senne Lammens, who has brought calm to a previously chaotic goalkeeping situation, and INEOS’ bold approach to the summer window is starting to pay off.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
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From there, Anderson grounded the bold hosiery with understated brown leather pumps.—
Kelsey Stewart,
Footwear News,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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While The Morning Show presents the news business as glossy and glamorous (and often a little pompous), The Paper takes the opposite view with the documentary crew from The Office now focusing on a dying newspaper in Ohio.—
Emma Alpern,
Vulture,
11 Sep. 2025
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Guigal’s strategy isn’t built on pompous conservatism, but in long-term thinking.—
Paul Caputo,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The former is the nerdier, more officious type in his bow tie and sport coat, the latter more rakish, a one-time rabble rouser who’s just happy to have something interesting to do.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Aug. 2025
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Fast & Furious is notable for adding the character Gisele (Gal Gadot) and smaller players like Shea Whigham's officious Stasiak.—
Declan Gallagher,
EW.com,
18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The design included a sleek, jet-age body and forward cab placement to distance occupants from radiation exposure.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Oct. 2025
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Referees blew the whistle on the play for forward progress.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Each burger is hand-packed with crisp lettuce, tomato, pickles and just a swipe of mustard — nothing unnecessary, nothing pretentious.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Oct. 2025
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Need to drop a levity bomb in the middle of a group of pretentious characters?—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
18 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Presumptuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/presumptuous. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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