Presume

/pɹɪˈzjuːm/ · verb

Meaning

(transitive) To be so presumptuous as (to do something) without proper authority or permission [with to (+ infinitive)]..

Definitions by Sense

1. (transitive) To be so presumptuous as (to do something) without proper authority or permission [with to (+ infinitive)].
2. (transitive, now rare) To perform, do (something) without authority; to lay claim to without permission.
3. (transitive) To assume or suggest to be true (without proof); to take for granted, to suppose.
4. (transitive) To take as a premise; to assume for the sake of argument.
5. (intransitive) To impose (on) for one's advantage; to be presumptuous; to take advantage (of); to take liberties (with) [with on or upon].

Example Sentences

I don't want to pretend to be an authority on this line of business, so I would never presume to tell you how to run your own company.

There were no women at the birth of the International Gay Association in Coventry, England in 1978. The men there decided they would like lesbians to join; they would not presume to formulate aims for them but would adjust the organization if and when women joined it.

Don't make the decision yourself and presume too much.

Paw-prints in the snow allow us to presume a visit from next door's cat.

Dr. Livingstone, I presume?

If we presume that human cloning may one day become a mundane, everyday reality, then maybe it's time to start thinking more positively about our soon-to-arrive genetically engineered pseudo-siblings.

Thanks, but I can't accept the money; I would not want to presume on the generosity of a stranger'

Presume not on thy heart when mine is slain; Thou gavest me thine, not to give back again.

Synonyms for presume

Antonyms for presume

Related Words

Word Forms

• presumes
• presuming
• presumed
• præsume

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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