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

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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

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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
  • 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
  • After Carl Linnaeus—the father of the discipline, who had the gall to coin Homo sapiens—died in 1778, the slogan Deus creavit, Linnaeus disposuit (God created, Linnaeus organized) began to circulate.
    — Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of gall
Noun
  • Khrushchev’s victory ensured the superiority of party leaders relative to other figures in the state, cementing his own power and giving him control of the regime.
    — Julian G. Waller, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Although these submarines represent some of the fastest ever constructed, modern naval warfare has shown that speed alone does not guarantee superiority.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of superiority
Noun
  • Despite two Tony nominations for her previous turns on the Great White Way, Janney is feeling the nerves.
    — Carita Rizzo, Deadline, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Found across the Indian subcontinent, the common krait possesses powerful neurotoxic venom that interferes with communication between nerves and muscles.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of nerve
Noun
  • The Fifth Amendment is critical in preserving that presumption of innocence.
    — Chantelle Lee, Time, 30 July 2026
  • But in recent months, skepticism about the presumption has also come from judges appointed by Republicans, such as McElroy, or in GOP strongholds.
    — J. David McSwane, ProPublica, 28 July 2026
Definition of presumption
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

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presumptuously
presumptuousness
presuppose
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Cite this Entry

“Presumptuousness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/presumptuousness. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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