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presuppose

verb
pre·​sup·​pose | \ ˌprē-sə-ˈpōz How to pronounce presuppose (audio) \
presupposed; presupposing; presupposes

Definition of presuppose

transitive verb

1 : to suppose beforehand
2 : to require as an antecedent in logic or fact
Other Words from presuppose Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about presuppose

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Other Words from presuppose

presupposition \ (ˌ)prē-​ˌsə-​pə-​ˈzi-​shən How to pronounce presupposition (audio) \ noun
presuppositional \ (ˌ)prē-​ˌsə-​pə-​ˈzish-​nəl How to pronounce presuppositional (audio) , -​ˈzi-​shə-​nᵊl \ adjective

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

 Genuine political anger presupposes genuine political convictions. — George Will, Twin Cities, "George Will: For the Democrats, it’s winnowing time," 4 Aug. 2019 Genuine political anger presupposes genuine political convictions. — George Will, National Review, "For the Democrats, It’s Winnowing Time," 4 Aug. 2019 Genuine political anger presupposes genuine political convictions. — George F. Will, The Denver Post, "Will: For the Democrats, it’s winnowing time," 4 Aug. 2019 The liberal idea presupposes that nothing needs to be done. — David Remnick, The New Yorker, "Little Rocket Man," 4 July 2019 But notice, both of those descriptions are ones that presuppose there’s a direction of time. — Quanta Magazine, "A Defense of the Reality of Time," 16 May 2017 The plan presupposes that the Holy Land’s noxious politics have simply vanished. — The Economist, "An underwhelming start to the “ultimate” Israeli-Palestinian deal," 27 June 2019 Willmoore Kendall argued persuasively that civil society, justice, and rights always presuppose the previous formation of government and society. — Daniel J. Mahoney, National Review, "Democracy’s Moral Foundations: Recovering Our ‘Constitution in Full’," 20 June 2019 Searching for the truth presupposes that there is something to look for. — William A. Galston, WSJ, "Today, Truth Itself Can’t Be Taken for Granted," 21 Aug. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'presuppose.' 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 presuppose

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for presuppose

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

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More Definitions for presuppose

presuppose

verb
How to pronounce presuppose (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of presuppose

formal
: to be based on the idea that something is true or will happen
: to require or depend on (something) in order to be true or exist

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on presuppose

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for presuppose

Spanish Central: Translation of presuppose

Nglish: Translation of presuppose for Spanish Speakers

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