presuppose

verb

pre·​sup·​pose ˌprē-sə-ˈpōz How to pronounce presuppose (audio)
presupposed; presupposing; presupposes
Synonyms of presupposenext

transitive verb

1
: to suppose beforehand
2
: to require as an antecedent in logic or fact
presupposition
(ˌ)prē-ˌsə-pə-ˈzi-shən How to pronounce presuppose (audio)
noun
presuppositional
(ˌ)prē-ˌsə-pə-ˈzi-sh(ə-)nəl How to pronounce presuppose (audio)
adjective

Synonyms of presuppose

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Examples of presuppose in a Sentence

The rule presupposes a need to restrict student access to the library. the book presupposes its readers will already know something about the subject
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.
The new arrangement under Xi presupposes the absence of rivals. — Deng Yuwen, Foreign Affairs, 14 Nov. 2025 But the spat presupposed a society based on the rule of law, where a government agency would hear a legal argument in good faith rather than overriding it with power. — Stephen Harrison, Wired News, 15 Jan. 2026 In this case, the question presupposes that lowering the debt is best accomplished by cutting or restructuring programs. — Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 20 May 2026 Stanford’s Cheng found in one study that models were less likely to question incorrect facts about cancer and other topics when the facts were presupposed as part of a question. — Matthew Hutson, IEEE Spectrum, 11 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for presuppose

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French presupposer, from Medieval Latin praesupponere (perfect indicative praesupposui), from Latin prae- + Medieval Latin supponere to suppose — more at suppose

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of presuppose was in the 15th century

Rhymes for presuppose

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Browse Nearby Words

presupposal
presuppose
presupposition
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Cite this Entry

“Presuppose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/presuppose. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

presuppose

verb
pre·​sup·​pose ˌprē-sə-ˈpōz How to pronounce presuppose (audio)
: to take something to be true : suppose ahead of time
the book presupposes its readers will know something about the subject
presupposition
(ˌ)prē-ˌsəp-ə-ˈzish-ən How to pronounce presuppose (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on presuppose

Nglish: Translation of presuppose for Spanish Speakers

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