ASSUME Synonyms: 195 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'assume' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of assume are affect , counterfeit , feign , pretend , sham , and simulate . While all these words 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

Q: When would 'affect' be a good substitute for 'assume'?

The words affect and assume are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, affect implies making a false show of possessing, using, or feeling. // affected an interest in art

Q: In what contexts can 'counterfeit' take the place of 'assume'?

In some situations, the words counterfeit and assume are roughly equivalent. However, counterfeit implies achieving the highest degree of verisimilitude of any of these words. // an actor counterfeiting drunkenness

Q: How does the word 'feign' relate to other synonyms for 'assume'?

Feign implies more artful invention than pretend , less specific mimicry than simulate . // feigned sickness

Q: When is it sensible to use 'pretend' instead of 'assume'?

While in some cases nearly identical to assume , pretend implies an overt and sustained false appearance. // pretended that nothing had happened

Q: When is 'sham' a more appropriate choice than 'assume'?

The words sham and assume can be used in similar contexts, but sham implies an obvious falseness that fools only the gullible. // shammed a most unconvincing limp

Q: When might 'simulate' be a better fit than 'assume'?

The synonyms simulate and assume are sometimes interchangeable, but simulate suggests a close imitation of the appearance of something. // cosmetics that simulate a suntan

assume

verb

ə-ˈsüm

Definition of assume

as in to accept

to take to or upon oneself we promised to assume responsibility for any damage to the flower beds caused by the volleyball game in the backyard

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to say

to take as true or as a fact without actual proof everyone assumed, wrongly, that someone else was bringing dessert

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to guess

to form an opinion from little or no evidence as I just assumed it was too late to go out, I didn't think to ask

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to pretend

to present a false appearance of she assumed an air of nonchalance even though she was wildly ecstatic she was going on the date

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to employ

to provide with a paying job assumed as partner by the prestigious law firm

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb assume contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of assume are affect, counterfeit, feign, pretend, sham, and simulate. While all these words 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

When would affect be a good substitute for assume?

The words affect and assume are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, affect implies making a false show of possessing, using, or feeling.

affected an interest in art

In what contexts can counterfeit take the place of assume?

In some situations, the words counterfeit and assume are roughly equivalent. However, counterfeit implies achieving the highest degree of verisimilitude of any of these words.

an actor counterfeiting drunkenness

How does the word feign relate to other synonyms for assume?

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

feigned sickness

When is it sensible to use pretend instead of assume?

While in some cases nearly identical to assume, pretend implies an overt and sustained false appearance.

pretended that nothing had happened

When is sham a more appropriate choice than assume?

The words sham and assume can be used in similar contexts, but sham implies an obvious falseness that fools only the gullible.

shammed a most unconvincing limp

When might simulate be a better fit than assume?

The synonyms simulate and assume are sometimes interchangeable, but simulate suggests a close imitation of the appearance of something.

cosmetics that simulate a suntan

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of assume Thinking that writing code was the only bottleneck for deploying new software is like the Titanic seeing the tip of the iceberg and assuming there was nothing underneath it. — Brian Jenney, IEEE Spectrum, 23 Oct. 2026 The company intends to keep testing its defenses as model capabilities advance, rather than assume that today’s security measures will remain sufficient. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026 Tzadik, a security researcher at cybersecurity firm Wiz, assumed that the AI had made a mistake. — Harry Booth, Time, 23 Oct. 2026 Pipelines got longer and less predictable than the plan assumed. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for assume

Recent Examples of Synonyms for assume

Verb

Note that Free People can only accept unopened and unused beauty and wellness products.

— Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 21 Oct. 2026
The company told Fortune a local Tasker accepted and completed the delivery.

— Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of accept

Verb

What employers are doing Kostka says there have recently been fewer health insurers in her area to choose from.

— Alana Semuels, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
Hamilton, in response, said that his church changed its policies in response to the scandal and eventually turned the matter over to police.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of say

Verb

Sorry to say it, but right now, guessing is what many are doing.

— Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
That Bell was the inspiration for Sherlock Holmes was still known to only a handful of people, including Robert Louis Stevenson, who had by then guessed the truth.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of guess

Verb

Smart did not enter pleas to charges of being armed, or pretending to be armed, in a way that may cause fear and with making an unlawful threat.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
Lee uses this to his advantage, pretending to be a pidgin-speaking Chinese immigrant to protect himself from white people’s suspicion and mistrust.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of pretend

Verb

The location is set to employ around 100 people and will feature a full-service dining room and bar, private dining room, carryout, delivery and catering service, a news release from Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria said.

— Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
Much of that growth came from banks and other financial firms hiring AI talent, though the Bay Area still employs more AI specialists.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of employ

Verb

Communities should not shoulder the costs of water infrastructure, interconnection and transmission upgrades.

— Neil Chatterjee, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Husted wants large data centers to shoulder more grid costs; Brown has attacked industry tax breaks and pledged to make data centers pay their full electricity costs.

— Luke Fountain,Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of shoulder

Verb

The motion noted that Brockway gave an officer a residence key that was later given to another officer who presumed it to imply consent for entry.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
Iris is presumed to have been painted in the open air circa 1924–25, near the end of the artist’s life.

— News Desk, Artforum, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of presume

Verb

Rodríguez was initially supposed to serve only 90 days as acting president, but has remained in office and has made no move to call an election.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
David Moore, who fields the short-field punts precisely because he’s supposed to be sure-handed, muffed one.

— Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of suppose

Browse Nearby Words

assumably

assume

assumed

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Assume.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assume. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of assume

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Are 'Assume' and 'Presume' Synonyms?

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

grotesque

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes

Synonyms of assume

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to assume

Are 'Assume' and 'Presume' Synonyms?

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

grotesque

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes