assume

verb

as·sume ə-ˈsüm

assumed; assuming

Synonyms of assume next

transitive verb

: to take to or upon oneself : undertake

assume responsibility

: to place oneself in

assume a position

: seize, usurp

assume control

: to pretend to have or be : feign

assumed an air of confidence in spite of her nervousness

: to take as granted or true : suppose

I assume he'll be there.

: to take over (the debts of another) as one's own

: put on, don

Mrs. Fairfax assumed her best black satin gown, her gloves, and her gold watch.—

Charlotte Brontë

: to take up or in : receive

: to take into partnership, employment, or use

assumability

ə-ˌsü-mə-ˈbi-lə-tē

noun

assumable

ə-ˈsü-mə-bəl

adjective

assumably

ə-ˈsü-mə-blē

adverb

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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.

Choose the Right Synonym for assume

assume, affect, pretend, simulate, feign, counterfeit, sham mean to put on a false or deceptive appearance.

assume often implies a justifiable motive rather than an intent to deceive.

assumed an air of cheerfulness around the patients

affect implies making a false show of possessing, using, or feeling.

affected an interest in art

pretend implies an overt and sustained false appearance.

pretended that nothing had happened

simulate suggests a close imitation of the appearance of something.

cosmetics that simulate a suntan

feign implies more artful invention than pretend, less specific mimicry than simulate.

feigned sickness

counterfeit implies achieving the highest degree of verisimilitude of any of these words.

an actor counterfeiting drunkenness

sham implies an obvious falseness that fools only the gullible.

shammed a most unconvincing limp

Examples of assume in a Sentence

I assumed he was coming, so I was surprised when he didn't show up. She assumed from his expression that he was confused. We'll be arriving around noon. That's assuming that our flight is on time. The king assumed the throne when he was very young. Under certain conditions, the chemical will assume the appearance of ice.

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

They’re insulated by brotherhood, and by a culture that Frida knows would assume that the women were asking for it. —

Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 6 Dec. 2024 Many organizations assume that general communications or project updates will suffice, but investment-level donors need to be led through a concrete explanation of what their gifts will accomplish this year as well as over time. —

Sherry Quam Taylor, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024 That included McBride, which may indicate respondents who hadn't actually heard of her before assumed she was affiliated with Trump's incoming administration, rather than a political figure who'd made the news for very different reasons. —

Nathaniel Rakich, ABC News, 5 Dec. 2024 Throughout the 70-minute performance, Jones narrates and assumes the roles of the story’s characters while holding court in the Merchant’s House Museum’s parlor. —

Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 5 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for assume

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin assumere, from ad- + sumere to take — more at consume

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 7a

Time Traveler

The first known use of assume was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Assume.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assume. Accessed 14 Dec. 2024.

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Kids Definition

assume

verb

as·sume ə-ˈsüm

assumed; assuming

: to take upon oneself

assume control

assumed the presidency

: take on sense 3, receive

it assumes greater importance now

: to pretend to have or be : put on

immediately assumed a look of innocence

: to take as true : suppose

I assumed he knew

Legal Definition

assume

transitive verb

as·sume

assumed; assuming

: to voluntarily take upon oneself

assume a risk

: to take over (the debts or obligations of another) as one's own

assume a mortgage

Last Updated: 9 Dec 2024 - Updated example sentences

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assume

verb

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Synonyms

Examples of assume in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near assume

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Legal Definition