suppose

verb

sup·​pose sə-ˈpōz How to pronounce suppose (audio)
usually after "I" ˈspōz
supposed; supposing
Synonyms of suppose

transitive verb

1
a
: to lay down tentatively as a hypothesis, assumption, or proposal
suppose a fire broke out
suppose you bring the salad
b(1)
: to hold as an opinion : believe
they supposed they were early
(2)
: to think probable or in keeping with the facts
seems reasonable to suppose that he would profit
2
a
: conceive, imagine
b
: to have a suspicion of
3
: presuppose

intransitive verb

: conjecture, opine

Synonyms of suppose

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Examples of suppose in a Sentence

Suppose a fire broke out. How would we escape? Just suppose for a moment that you agreed with me. Supposing he refuses to help, what do we do then? The renovations will cost much more than we originally supposed.
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.
These days, with populism on the rise, where's a principled conservative supposed to look? — Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2026 Joe asked Nick what was going on and wondered if Kevin posted something he wasn’t supposed to. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 28 Oct. 2026 The park was never supposed to be a tourist destination, Cobb said. — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026 One was her personal phone, another was for government business, and the third had been hacked so many times that she wasn’t supposed to use it anymore. — Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 28 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for suppose

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French supposer, from Medieval Latin supponere (perfect indicative supposui), from Latin, to put under, substitute, from sub- + ponere to put — more at position

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of suppose was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing suppose

Rhymes for suppose

See All Rhymes for suppose

Browse Nearby Words

supposal
suppose
supposed
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Cite this Entry

“Suppose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suppose. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

suppose

verb
sup·​pose sə-ˈpōz How to pronounce suppose (audio)
supposed; supposing
1
: to take as true or as a fact for the sake of argument
suppose a fire should break out
2
: to hold as an opinion : believe
they supposed they were on the right bus
3
: to come to a conclusion arrived at by guessing
who do you suppose will win
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