presumptuousness

noun

Definition of presumptuousnessnext
1
as in arrogance
an exaggerated sense of one's importance that shows itself in the making of excessive or unjustified claims only a person of unparalleled presumptuousness would assert that she knows all there is to know about words

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in gall
shameless boldness he found that a certain amount of presumptuousness could get you in trouble, but it could also get you into places where you normally weren't allowed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 presumptuousness 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, 22 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for presumptuousness
  1. arrogance
  2. gall
  3. superiority
  4. nerve
  5. presumption
  6. audacity
Noun
  • But the Workers’ Party (PT) leader, who was accused of arrogance and of failing to understand the needs of young gig-economy workers, shook up his strategy, said Igor Gielow in Folha de São Paulo.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 31 Oct. 2026
  • McVay and Snead have effectively built a culture of arrogance.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of arrogance
Noun
  • The husband grabbed the chest brace to hold him still, and for his gall received a strike to the arm from every tooth in the dog’s crazy, contorted face.
    — Téa Obreht, New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2026
  • The official copy covered four big sheets of parchment in ink made from oak galls.
    — James Whorton Jr, Longreads, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of gall
Noun
  • Looking like two giant rhinos splashing in water and wrestling for superiority, 7-foot-5 Cherif Millogo is getting pushed by 7-foot Yann Kamagate near the basket as each battles to establish position in the low post area during a practice drill.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2026
  • The capacity issues at O’Hare, which now ranks as the world’s busiest airfield, have become acute as American and United are sparring for superiority there.
    — Shun Graves, Chicago Tribune, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of superiority
Noun
  • As nerve activity eases, your heart rate may slow, and your blood vessels may relax, allowing pressure to fall.
    — MD Published, Verywell Health, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Acute or chronic exposure to thallium can cause serious health problems, including nerve damage, gastroenteritis and hair loss.
    — Eva Flowe November 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of nerve
Noun
  • The real drag on the system right now is the absence of the presumption of regularity judges are being faced with.
    — John E. Jones III, The Conversation, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Impact The initial phase of contract talks still would have union and county representatives seeking to hammer out a mutually beneficial deal, with a presumption that both sides would negotiate in good faith.
    — Times staff, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of presumption
Noun
  • The Betsy Orb supercharges his art with South Beach audacity and AI animation.
    — Elisa Turner, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The audacity to try is a matter of courage—and Cohen, the primary vocalist, has a ton.
    — Samuel Hyland, Pitchfork, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of audacity

Browse Nearby Words

presumptuously
presumptuousness
presuppose
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Presumptuousness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/presumptuousness. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gauntlet

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

31 Useful Rhetorical Devices

More Commonly Misspelled Words

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

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Nov. 13

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

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
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
woman sitting on floor holding book in front of her face on pink background
Famous Novels, Last Lines Quiz Needless to say, spoiler alert.
See All