1
as in to assume
to form an opinion from little or no evidence
I presume you'll fly if you do go
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to say
to take as true or as a fact without actual proof
we should presume that a person is innocent until proven guilty
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 presume
Journalists have a duty to report the sequence of events clearly and to avoid framing that presumes motive or minimizes the threat posed by the suspect.
—
Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2026
Avoiding documentary-like methods that presume to grasp events in large visual gulps, Ouédraogo offers visual fragments (however ample) that conjure a spectrum of experience that goes beyond what’s onscreen.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2026
In the maelstrom of modern war, presumed certainties crumble like piecrust.
—George F. Will, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2026
In general, people born before 1957 are presumed to have immunity given how prevalent mumps was before this time.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for presume
Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2026
Avoiding documentary-like methods that presume to grasp events in large visual gulps, Ouédraogo offers visual fragments (however ample) that conjure a spectrum of experience that goes beyond what’s onscreen.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2026
In the maelstrom of modern war, presumed certainties crumble like piecrust.
—George F. Will, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2026
In general, people born before 1957 are presumed to have immunity given how prevalent mumps was before this time.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for presume
Recent Examples of Synonyms for presume
Verb
-
José Francisco Pérez Mackenna took the oath as chancellor, while María Trinidad Steinert became the minister of security and Fernando Rabat assumed office as minister of justice and human rights.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Shortly afterward, however, Iran’s Assembly of Experts — the constitutional body responsible for selecting the supreme leader — announced that Mojtaba Khamenei would assume leadership of the Islamic Republic.—
Pegah Banihashemi,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
China’s biggest chain of eye hospitals is working with an adviser on the share sale, the people said, asking not to be identified because the information is private.—
Julia Fioretti,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Jeffrey Singer, a doctor and senior fellow at the libertarian Cato Institute, said decentralization can be beneficial.—
Angela Hart,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The President has reportedly been buying his favorite shoes for his male staffers and White House visitors, even guessing their sizes.—
Ruby Cramer,
New Yorker,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Ken Jeong guessed Travis Kelce.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
It’s believed that this phenomenon could be utilized in future catalyst design and materials development.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Spoelstra and Heat players believed the five-second violation called on Larsson’s inbound pass was quick.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Think Michell Randolph’s Ainsley from Landman, only the entirety of Landman has been directed by men who objectify Ainsley (who’s supposed to be 17-18 in the series) relentlessly.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Mar. 2026
-
If residents approach a door they are not supposed to enter, the doors, which have sensors, will lock and an alarm will sound.—
Livi Stanford,
Hartford Courant,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
So if a person thinks about moving their hand, the device reads those brain signals and turns them into an actual movement.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Or if a military machine with someone at the top pooh-poohing ROE thinks the rules are still a top priority.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The investigation led detectives to suspect Berron.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
-
His first attempt was aborted after a phone call with his worried mother, and the second and third attempts were derailed because the team officials suspected his intentions and dropped him from the squad.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Presume.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/presume. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
