supposition

noun

ˌsə-pə-ˈzi-shən How to pronounce supposition (audio)
Definition of suppositionnext
1
as in hypothesis
an idea that is the starting point for making a case or conducting an investigation my supposition is that this grape variety, which flourishes in southern France, should do equally well here, given the similar climate

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2
as in guess
an opinion or judgment based on little or no evidence it's pure supposition on your part that there's something illegal going on next door

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3
as in assumption
something taken as being true or factual and used as a starting point for a course of action or reasoning worthless genetic research that was based on the erroneous supposition that acquired characteristics can be passed on to offspring

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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 supposition Zlotnikov wrote that the condition was likely caused by a mutation that had occurred very early in embryonic development, a supposition that was confirmed decades later by genetic analysis. — Jerome Groopman, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026 The supposition is the equivalent of green tea giant Bigelow taking Coca-Cola to court for its pour dominance in McDonald’s restaurants. — John Tamny, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2026 Under California law, fraud must be pled with particularity, meaning there must be specifics and details in the complaint; generalizations, inferences and supposition don’t cut it. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 16 Jan. 2026 As Jackie herself once reminded John, a Kennedy has no choice but to accept that the press and public will speculate, interpret, exaggerate, and invent notions about them based on their own suppositions. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for supposition
Recent Examples of Synonyms for supposition
  1. hypothesis
  2. guess
  3. assumption
  4. theory
  5. conjecture
  6. thesis
  7. proposition
Noun
  • The interest rate hypothesis points the wrong direction — the most rate-sensitive occupations, like construction, have the lowest AI exposure.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 June 2026
  • Science is designed to estimate risk, test hypotheses, identify patterns, and reduce the likelihood of false causal inference.
    — Alex Smolak, STAT, 27 June 2026
Definition of hypothesis
Noun
  • Our best guess is that there might be a little bit of recognition for the youngest generations, too, watching all those clips — as in, Holy cow, Austin Powers was real!
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 7 July 2026
  • Who starts opposite him at the other safety spot is anyone’s guess at this point.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026
Definition of guess
Noun
  • Here is a brief overview and judgement calls of several garden insects that challenge our assumptions about who belongs in which column.
    — Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2026
  • As with any heat metric, calculating the heat index involves making some assumptions about the person and the conditions around them.
    — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 3 July 2026
Definition of assumption
Noun
  • Germ theory also emerged in the late 1800s, in which scientists discovered that germs caused disease.
    — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
  • The two budding geniuses would sit in Charles’ apartment for hours, talking music theory and analyzing records, though Jones’s curiosity occasionally exhausted Charles.
    — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 3 July 2026
Definition of theory
Noun
  • Following Taylor Swift's engagement announcement in August of 2025, the internet exploded with conjecture on the venue of the popstar's upcoming wedding.
    — Catherine Messier, The Providence Journal, 3 July 2026
  • By these arguments, an AI proof of a mathematical conjecture that has stubbornly resisted human efforts would be useful only if comprehensible to humans.
    — Benjamin Skuse, IEEE Spectrum, 25 June 2026
Definition of conjecture
Noun
  • GameStop's takeover pursuit adds a headline catalyst, but the more durable thesis is that eBay's own operating momentum is improving.
    — Tony Zhang, CNBC, 1 July 2026
  • The thesis rests on a claim that would have sounded absurd a year ago.
    — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of thesis
Noun
  • Its value proposition is strong since each trim comes with a long list of standard features.
    — Charles Singh, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • The property experience, the digital experience and the value proposition all become searchable, summarized and compared.
    — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of proposition

Browse Nearby Words

supposing
supposition
suppositional
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Cite this Entry

“Supposition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/supposition. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on supposition

Nglish: Translation of supposition for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about supposition

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