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assume

verb
as·​sume | \ ə-ˈsüm How to pronounce assume (audio) \
assumed; assuming

Definition of assume

transitive verb

1a : to take to or upon oneself : undertake assume responsibility
b : to place oneself in assume a position
2 : seize, usurp assume control
3 : to pretend to have or be : feign assumed an air of confidence in spite of her nervousness
4 : to take as granted or true : suppose I assume he'll be there.
5 : to take over (the debts of another) as one's own
6 : put on, don Mrs. Fairfax assumed her best black satin gown, her gloves, and her gold watch.— Charlotte Brontë
7a : to take up or in : receive
b : to take into partnership, employment, or use
Other Words from assume Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym The Difference Between Assume and Presume More Example Sentences Learn More about assume

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Other Words from assume

assumability \ -​ˌsü-​mə-​ˈbi-​lə-​tē How to pronounce assumability (audio) \ noun
assumable \ -​ˈsü-​mə-​bəl How to pronounce assumable (audio) \ adjective
assumably \ -​blē How to pronounce assumably (audio) \ adverb

Synonyms & Antonyms for assume

Synonyms

accept, bear, shoulder, take over, undertake

Antonyms

disavow, disclaim, disown, repudiate

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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

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.

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.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Worse still, moving Buchanan and King from friends to lovers blocks the way for a person today to assume the proper mantle of becoming our first gay president. — Thomas Balcerski, Smithsonian, "The 175-Year History of Speculating About President James Buchanan’s Bachelorhood," 28 Aug. 2019 For centuries, scientists assumed that life at such depths was impossible – and checking wasn’t a simple task. — Eva Botkin-kowacki, The Christian Science Monitor, "NASA eyes the ocean: How the deep sea could unlock outer space," 23 Aug. 2019 The estimate, made by the Brennan Center for Justice, assumes that Louisiana, New Jersey, Texas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Kansas, and Mississippi will all have to keep their voting machines status quo. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "America Makes Some, but Not Enough, Progress in Election Security," 15 Aug. 2019 Barry in 1964 assumed leadership of the company, which was founded in 1921 by his father, James T. Barry Sr. — Tom Daykin, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "James T. Barry Jr., longtime Milwaukee commercial real estate broker and investor, dies at 85," 14 Aug. 2019 When pictures of Miley Cyrus and Kaitlynn Carter kissing surfaced, many people assumed that both women had moved on from their ex-husbands. — Jasmine Gomez, Seventeen, "Who Is Josie Canseco? Everything You Need to Know About “The Hills” Star Brody Jenner’s Alleged New Girlfriend," 13 Aug. 2019 Busa identified four locations for such connections, all of which would be enormously expensive – assuming the money could be found. — Steven Litt, cleveland.com, "Should Burke Lakefront Airport close? Coalition keeps important question alive – Steven Litt," 11 Aug. 2019 The couple often assumes any leftover money will be paid to the beneficiaries, typically the children, only after the second spouse dies. — Liz Weston, Dallas News, "Three big mistakes variable annuity owners make," 6 Aug. 2019 Listing your property on Airbnb is an easy way to make a nice chunk of change — assuming you don’t get fined a fortune for doing so. — Hanna Flanagan, PEOPLE.com, "London Airbnb Host Fined $123,000 for Renting Out His Government-Owned Property," 2 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'assume.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of assume

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 7a

History and Etymology for assume

Middle English, from Latin assumere, from ad- + sumere to take — more at consume

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More Definitions for assume

assume

verb
How to pronounce assume (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of assume

: to think that something is true or probably true without knowing that it is true
: to begin (a role, duty, etc.) as a job or responsibility
: to take or begin to have (power, control, etc.) in a job or situation

See the full definition for assume in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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