proposition

noun

ˌprä-pə-ˈzi-shən How to pronounce proposition (audio)
Definition of propositionnext
1
as in hypothesis
an idea that is the starting point for making a case or conducting an investigation started the discussion with the simple proposition that no one ever does anything out of pure altruism

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in proposal
something which is presented for consideration a neighbor with a business proposition to tell us about

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 proposition My spree took under 20 minutes and almost no effort, a much easier proposition than hitting multiple stores to try to find these pieces. — ABC News, 8 July 2026 Enter their noisy yet impossibly chic upstairs neighbors, Hawk (Norton) and Pína (Penélope Cruz), who make an alluring proposition that forces Joe and Angela to reevaluate their relationship. — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 7 July 2026 Once the network is separated from the studio, ITV Studios becomes a different proposition. — Remy Blumenfeld, HollywoodReporter, 7 July 2026 Extreme heat is not stopping anyone from showing up to concerts, music festivals, World Cup matches or baseball games this summer, but staying cool in 105°F conditions is a very different proposition than a typical warm-weather day out. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for proposition
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proposition
  1. hypothesis
  2. proposal
  3. theory
  4. suggestion
  5. thesis
  6. premise
Noun
  • Sample of the asteroid collected by Tianwen-2 could help prove that hypothesis, if the mission is successful.
    — Brett Tingley, Space.com, 7 July 2026
  • However, this hypothesis comes mainly from population patterns modeled from DNA sequences.
    — Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 7 July 2026
Definition of hypothesis
Noun
  • The measure orders the Department of Finance to develop proposals to require California’s largest corporations to help pay for employees’ Medi-Cal coverage and submit them to lawmakers by March 1, 2027.
    — Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026
  • By midday Thursday, the Federal Register logged nearly 100,000 comments about the proposal, many of them expressing concern.
    — Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Definition of proposal
Noun
  • Los Angeles County prosecutors charged Jason Melara, Taylor and Johnson not only with his murder, but also the killing of Mario Melara under the theory that his death was provoked by the armed robbery of Aguilar.
    — Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
  • In another discrepancy, Crump said that a witness reported Wells had planned to leave on the boat with his friends, contradicting the sheriff's theory.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 July 2026
Definition of theory
Noun
  • That suggestion has been met with skepticism on Capitol Hill and abroad, with Syria’s foreign minister telling Lebanon’s president earlier this month that officials had ruled it out.
    — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 8 July 2026
  • The same 27,048-person study found that where leaders always recognize suggestions, employees are about 12 times more likely to recommend the company as a great place to work, and where good suggestions always lead to change, 18 times.
    — Mark Murphy, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of suggestion
Noun
  • Eric recalled flying to Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1995 to help Grant with his Princeton thesis.
    — PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2026
  • The main crux of his thesis depends on the open primaries where independent voters could swing elections, not closed Democratic primaries.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 6 July 2026
Definition of thesis
Noun
  • Ensure your home is securely locked when vacating the premises.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 11 July 2026
  • Some of this work has value, but much of it begins from the wrong premise.
    — Julia Dhar, Time, 11 July 2026
Definition of premise

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proposing
proposition
propositions
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Cite this Entry

“Proposition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proposition. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on proposition

Nglish: Translation of proposition for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about proposition

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