Did you know?
The Difference Between Assume and Presume
Assume and presume both mean "to take something for granted" or "to take something as true," but the words differ in the degree of confidence the person assuming or presuming has. Presume is used when someone is making an informed guess based on reasonable evidence. Assume is used when the guess is based on little or no evidence.
Presume functions a little differently in the legal catchphrase "presumed innocent until proven guilty." That sense of presume is separately defined as "to suppose to be true without proof." It is based on the fact that legal systems grant a defendant the presumption of innocence, thereby placing the burden of proof on the prosecution.
Synonyms
Examples of presume in a Sentence
Luke Mogelson, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024
Most recently, a dairy worker in Texas was presumed to be infected by sick cattle, according to the CDC.
—Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2024
On Monday, a person in Texas tested positive for bird flu — also known as the highly pathogenic avian influenza — after coming in contact with dairy cattle presumed to be infected.
—Patrick Jarenwattananon, NPR, 3 Apr. 2024
The person—identified only as a farm worker—tested positive for a strain of H5N1 influenza and had recently been exposed to cattle presumed to be infected with H5N1 as well.
—Ed Cara / Gizmodo, Quartz, 2 Apr. 2024
Two survive, and by Tuesday evening officials are forced to presume the others dead.
—Ramon Padilla, USA TODAY, 30 Mar. 2024
Among those presumed deceased are Miguel Luna from El Salvador and Maynor Suazo Sandoval from Honduras, who was about to turn 39, their families said.
—Danny Nguyen, Washington Post, 30 Mar. 2024
Anyone born before 1957 is considered to have had measles or been exposed to it and presumed to be immune to the virus.
—Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 28 Mar. 2024
Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandoval, 38, was confirmed to be among those presumed to be dead.
—Lawrence Richard, Fox News, 28 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'presume.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to presume
Dictionary Entries Near presume
Cite this Entry
“Presume.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/presume. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
presume
verb
Legal Definition
presume
transitive verb
Share