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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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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
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
Noun
-
Despite trariffs, military power, dollar dominance and presidential arrogance, isolation, America will triumph.—
Letters to the Editor,
Hartford Courant,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Adriana is immediately aware of his confidence—bordering on arrogance—but also senses potential chemistry in their skating styles.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
Time,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Imagine having the gall to besmirch the name of a young mother killed for trying to speak up for her neighbors or of an ICU nurse shot in the back for trying to tend to a woman who had been pepper-sprayed in the face.—
Sasha Abramsky,
Washington Post,
2 Feb. 2026
-
The documents that Dooley was now handling were barely yellowed, their edges lightly frayed, the oak gall ink ranging from brown to black.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
At the same time, Chinese state media reportedly released images emphasizing Beijing’s technological and military superiority, while highlighting its ability to take Taiwan by force if necessary.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Unlike the Cold War-era contest between the Soviet Union and the United States, which was driven by governments seeking to demonstrate technological superiority, today's race is increasingly powered by private companies and commercial competition.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
When bleeding or swelling inside one of these compartments builds up, pressure rises and begins to squeeze the muscles, nerves and blood vessels.—
Michal Ruprecht,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
-
On the health care side, students use a $40,000 digital anatomy table that displays the virtual image of a real cadaver to study bones, nerves and organs in layers.—
Wilborn P. Nobles III,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The maximalism and somewhat uncompromising presumption of a newspaper, with its warren of sections and columns and byways, is a quiet reproach to its audience’s most parochial instincts.—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2026
-
If it is believed that a person has engaged in criminal behavior, this should be handled in a court of law with the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
His photographs vibrate with the excess of their ornamentation, with an audacity of presence that exceeds the realm of the emblematic.—
Zoë Hopkins,
New Yorker,
7 Feb. 2026
-
In 2014, WeatherTech founder David MacNeil had the audacity to blow a large chunk of his marketing budget on his first Super Bowl spot, paying $4 million for the airtime to compete on TV’s biggest advertising stage.—
Robert Channick,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Presumptuousness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/presumptuousness. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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