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 Many assumed that this decision had been Navalny’s wish. —

Simon Shuster / Vilnius, TIME, 17 Apr. 2024 Miss Manners assumes a willing compliance — and that dirty laundry that is suspiciously heavy can be assumed not to be ready for the current load. —

Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 17 Apr. 2024 The Company does not assume the obligation to update any forward-looking statement. —

Charlotte Observer, 16 Apr. 2024 Once a board determines/votes to elect candidates by acclamation at an open board meeting, when do the candidates assume their new role? —

Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2024 But the woman wouldn’t hand the microphone over, even as Meghan had already assumed a tight grip. —

Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2024 With the promise of helping anyone playfully assume the identity of a popstar and let a user sing their favorite song, the company hopes to revolutionize karaoke and strengthen the artist-fan relationship. —

Kristin Robinson, Billboard, 16 Apr. 2024 In a new study published Friday in the journal Current Biology, scientists found that male bonobos are actually much more aggressive than assumed—even more so than the notoriously violent chimpanzees. —

Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Apr. 2024 Treat the immediate symptoms of the disease with drug therapy and assume that whatever the future complications, they can be treated by other drug or surgical therapies. —

Gary Taubes, The Atlantic, 15 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'assume.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 23 Apr. 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: 20 Apr 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