supposition

noun

sup·​po·​si·​tion ˌsə-pə-ˈzi-shən 

1

: something that is supposed : hypothesis

2

: the act of supposing

suppositional

ˌsə-pə-ˈzish-nəl 

-ˈzi-shə-nᵊl

adjective

Synonyms

• hypothesis
• proposition
• theory
• thesis

Example Sentences

a supposition that proved correct

This is just idle supposition.

Recent Examples on the Web

For pretty much all his life, Harry has been trailed by photographers, rumors, headlines, supposition and reporters endlessly shouting questions at him. —Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2023

To add firmness to this section Timothy Parsons engages in supposition and extrapolation. —Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 25 June 2010

Boudreaux said there could have been another person involved, perhaps as a getaway driver, but that is supposition at this point. —Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2023

The supposition by many political observers is that the about-face has largely been motivated by an impending White House bid. —Dean Obeidallah, CNN, 29 Jan. 2023

Gregor Mendel's supposition that there were discrete elements which mediated biological inheritance had the virtue of being correct. —Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 8 Oct. 2013

My own earlier supposition has been that northeast Europe served as a repository of peoples who adopted agriculture late, and were resistant to the expansion of Indo-Europeans. —Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 19 Feb. 2012

In some circumstances the utilization of statistics is a matter of style, to firm up a flimsy supposition with the rigorous garb of quantity. —Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 21 Nov. 2012

This supposition has long led pundits to argue that the nation’s growing demographic pluralism will inevitably produce a more progressive electorate. —Daniel Martinez Hosang, The New Republic, 9 Dec. 2022

See More

Word History

Etymology

Middle English supposicioun, from Anglo-French supposicion, from Late Latin supposition-, suppositio, from Latin, act of placing beneath, from supponere

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing supposition

• on the supposition that

• on the supposition that

Kids Definition

supposition

noun

sup·​po·​si·​tion ˌsəp-ə-ˈzish-ən 

1

: something that is supposed

2

: the act of supposing

suppositional

-ˈzish-nəl 

-ən-ᵊl

adjective