A presumption is something that is accepted as true but is not certain to be true.
...the presumption that a defendant is innocent until proved guilty.
I'm having to make a lot of presumptions since I don't really know anything aboutthe case.
Synonyms: assumption, opinion, belief, guess More Synonyms of presumption
2. uncountable noun
If you describe someone's behaviour as presumption, you disapprove of it because they are doing something that they have no right to do.
[formal, disapproval]
They were angered by his presumption.
More Synonyms of presumption
presumption in British English
(prɪˈzʌmpʃən)
noun
1.
the act of presuming
2.
bold or insolent behaviour or manners
3.
a belief or assumption based on reasonable evidence
4.
a ground or basis on which to presume
5. law
an inference of the truth of a fact from other facts proved, admitted, or judicially noticed
Word origin
C13: via Old French from Latin praesumptiō a using in advance, anticipation, from praesūmere to take beforehand; see presume
presumption in American English
(priˈzʌmpʃən; prɪˈzʌmpʃən)
noun
1.
the act of presuming
; specif.,
a.
an overstepping of proper bounds; forwardness; effrontery
b.
the taking of something for granted
2.
the thing presumed; supposition
3.
a ground or reason for presuming; evidence that points to the probability of something
4. Law
the inference that a fact exists, based on the proved existence of other facts
Word origin
ME < OFr presumpcion < L praesumptio, a taking beforehand < praesumptus, pp. of praesumere: see presume
Examples of 'presumption' in a sentence
presumption
The presumption of innocence is a moral imperative.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The presumption of innocence is a moral imperative.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
English law contains a strong presumption in favour of court proceedings being open to the public.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
He wants to end the legal presumption of shared parenting.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
To wear a camera is a presumption of guilt and therefore the death of trust.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
They say there is no charge here and the presumption of innocence and due process should apply.
The Sun (2015)
The report also recommended a strong presumption against building on flood plains.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
This profound presumption of guilt was unencumbered by the inconvenience of having to prove it.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The presumption of innocence is given short shrift.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
They are angry over the presumption of guilt.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Such an attitude would not sit well with the presumption of innocence.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
There need be no presumption of guilt.
The Sun (2011)
So much for the presumption of innocence.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The warrants are not a presumption of guilt.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The strong presumption is that an operation of this size could be carried out only by the regime.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The previous Government introduced a presumption in favour of building on such brownfield sites.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
In the end, the presumption in favour of the preservation of life is not displaced.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The presumption of innocence and the equality of arms are either part of our gladiatorial adversarial criminal justice system or they are not.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
They would also get more control over opening times, while presumption in favour of licence applications will be ditched.
The Sun (2010)
If this money is paid to a letting agent, the legal presumption is that the rent element belongs to the landlord.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
I put this down to the legal presumption that it is the driver who is responsible for any accident with a cyclist.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
For the past I shall stick to a presumption in favour of the past tense.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
There is a general presumption against England's footballers.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
And the Act removes the presumption in favour of Jury trial for libel claims.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
If the deeds and plans don't help, there is a legal presumption that the owner of a property will use his land to the fullest possible extent.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
It all adds up to a strong presumption that unless there's a clear family resemblance to the civil rights movement, civil disobedience is simply beyond the pale.
Christianity Today (2000)
In other languages
presumption
British English: presumption NOUN
A presumption is something that is accepted as true but is not certain to be true.
...the presumption that a defendant is innocent until proved guilty.
American English: presumption
Brazilian Portuguese: presunção
Chinese: 假定
European Spanish: suposición
French: présomption
German: Annahme
Italian: presunzione
Japanese: 推測
Korean: 가정
European Portuguese: presunção
Latin American Spanish: suposición
1 (noun)
Definition
a belief or assumption based on reasonable evidence
the presumption that a defendant is innocent until proved guilty
Synonyms
assumption
They are wrong in their assumption that we are all alike.
opinion
Most who expressed an opinion spoke favourably of her.
belief
It is my belief that a common ground can be found.
guess
He took her pulse and made a guess at her blood pressure.
hypothesis
Different hypotheses have been put forward.
anticipation
conjecture
Your assertion is merely a conjecture, not a fact.
surmise
Her surmise proved correct.
supposition
There's a popular supposition that we're publicly funded.
presupposition
the presupposition that human life must be sustained for as long as possible
premise
the premise that men and women are on equal terms in this society
2 (noun)
Definition
bold insolent behaviour
He had the presumption to answer me back.
Synonyms
cheek (informal)
I'm amazed they have the cheek to ask in the first place.
front
neck (informal)
nerve (informal)
He had the nerve to ask me to prove who I was.
assurance
He led the orchestra with assurance.
brass (informal)
You have got some brass, mate!
gall
She had the gall to suggest that I might lend her the money.
audacity
He had the audacity to look at his watch while I was talking.
boldness
temerity
patients who have the temerity to challenge their doctor
chutzpah (US, Canadian, informal)
insolence
The most frequent reason for excluding a pupil was insolence.
impudence
One sister had the impudence to wear the other's clothes.
effrontery
He had the effrontery to turn up on my doorstep at 2 in the morning.
brass neck (British, informal)
sassiness (informal)
presumptuousness
forwardness
I was taken aback by your forwardness.
3 (noun)
Definition
a basis on which an assumption is made
Synonyms
probability
There is a high probability of success.
chance
This partnership has a good chance of success.
reason
There is a reason for every important thing that happens.
grounds
basis
likelihood
The likelihood is that people would be willing to pay.
plausibility
Additional synonyms
in the sense of assurance
Definition
feeling of confidence
He led the orchestra with assurance.
Synonyms
confidence,
conviction,
courage,
certainty,
self-confidence,
poise,
assertiveness,
security,
faith,
coolness,
nerve,
aplomb,
boldness,
self-reliance,
firmness,
self-assurance,
certitude,
sureness,
self-possession,
positiveness,
assuredness
in the sense of audacity
He had the audacity to look at his watch while I was talking.
Synonyms
cheek (informal),
nerve (informal),
defiance,
gall (informal),
presumption,
rudeness,
chutzpah (US, Canadian, informal),
insolence,
impertinence,
neck (informal),
impudence,
effrontery,
brass neck (British, informal),
shamelessness,
sassiness (informal),
forwardness,
pertness,
audaciousness,
disrespectfulness
in the sense of belief
Definition
opinion
It is my belief that a common ground can be found.
Synonyms
opinion,
feeling,
idea,
view,
theory,
impression,
assessment,
notion,
judgment,
point of view,
sentiment,
persuasion,
presumption
Synonyms of 'presumption'
presumption
Explore 'presumption' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of brass
Definition
bold self-confidence
You have got some brass, mate!
Synonyms
nerve (informal),
face (informal),
front,
neck (informal),
cheek,
gall (informal),
presumption,
audacity,
rudeness,
chutzpah (US, Canadian, informal),
insolence,
impertinence,
impudence,
effrontery,
brass neck (British, informal),
sassiness (US, informal)
in the sense of chance
Definition
the extent to which something is likely to happen
This partnership has a good chance of success.
Synonyms
probability,
odds,
possibility,
prospect,
liability,
likelihood
in the sense of conjecture
Definition
a guess
Your assertion is merely a conjecture, not a fact.
Synonyms
guess,
theory,
fancy,
notion,
speculation,
assumption,
hypothesis,
inference,
presumption,
surmise,
theorizing,
guesswork,
supposition,
shot in the dark,
guesstimate (informal)
in the sense of effrontery
Definition
insolence or boldness
He had the effrontery to turn up on my doorstep at 2 in the morning.
Synonyms
insolence,
nerve (informal),
arrogance,
presumption,
face (informal),
front,
neck (informal),
cheek (informal),
assurance,
brass (informal),
gall (informal),
disrespect,
audacity,
boldness,
rudeness,
temerity,
chutzpah (US, Canadian, informal),
impertinence,
impudence,
brashness,
brass neck (British, informal),
shamelessness,
incivility,
cheekiness,
brazenness
in the sense of forwardness
I was taken aback by your forwardness.
Synonyms
impertinence,
cheek (informal),
familiarity,
boldness,
presumption,
chutzpah (US, Canadian, informal),
impudence,
brashness,
overconfidence,
immodesty,
shamelessness,
cheekiness,
brazenness,
pertness,
overfamiliarity
in the sense of gall
Definition
bold impudence
She had the gall to suggest that I might lend her the money.
Synonyms
impudence,
audacity,
insolence,
impertinence,
face (informal),
front,
neck (informal),
nerve (informal),
sauce (informal),
cheek (informal),
brass (informal),
boldness,
chutzpah (US, Canadian, informal),
effrontery,
brass neck (British, informal),
sauciness,
brazenness,
sassiness (US, informal)
in the sense of guess
Definition
an estimate or conclusion arrived at by guessing
He took her pulse and made a guess at her blood pressure.
Synonyms
estimate,
reckoning,
speculation,
judgment,
hypothesis,
conjecture,
surmise,
shot in the dark,
ballpark figure (informal)
in the sense of hypothesis
Definition
a suggested explanation for a group of facts, accepted either as a basis for further verification or as likely to be true
Different hypotheses have been put forward.
Synonyms
theory,
premise,
proposition,
assumption,
thesis,
postulate,
supposition,
premise
in the sense of impudence
One sister had the impudence to wear the other's clothes.
Synonyms
boldness,
nerve (informal),
cheek (informal),
face (informal),
front,
neck (informal),
gall (informal),
lip (slang),
presumption,
audacity,
rudeness,
chutzpah (US, Canadian, informal),
insolence,
impertinence,
effrontery,
brass neck (British, informal),
shamelessness,
sauciness,
brazenness,
sassiness (informal),
pertness,
bumptiousness,
backchat (informal)
in the sense of insolence
The most frequent reason for excluding a pupil was insolence.
Synonyms
rudeness,
cheek (informal),
disrespect,
front,
abuse,
sauce (informal),
gall (informal),
audacity,
boldness,
chutzpah (US, Canadian, informal),
insubordination,
impertinence,
impudence,
effrontery,
backchat (informal),
incivility,
sassiness (informal),
pertness,
contemptuousness
Additional synonyms
in the sense of likelihood
Definition
chance
The likelihood is that people would be willing to pay.
Synonyms
probability,
chance,
possibility,
prospect,
liability,
good chance,
strong possibility,
reasonableness,
likeliness
in the sense of nerve
Definition
impudence
He had the nerve to ask me to prove who I was.
Synonyms
impudence,
face (informal),
front,
neck (informal),
sauce (informal),
cheek (informal),
brass (informal),
gall,
audacity,
boldness,
temerity,
chutzpah (US, Canadian, informal),
insolence,
impertinence,
effrontery,
brass neck (British, informal),
brazenness,
sassiness (slang)
in the sense of opinion
Definition
belief not founded on certainty or proof but on what seems probable
Most who expressed an opinion spoke favourably of her.
Synonyms
belief,
feeling,
view,
idea,
theory,
notion,
conviction,
point of view,
sentiment,
viewpoint,
persuasion,
conjecture
in the sense of premise
Definition
a statement that is assumed to be true and is used as a basis for an argument
the premise that men and women are on equal terms in this society
Synonyms
assumption,
proposition,
thesis,
ground,
argument,
hypothesis,
assertion,
postulate,
supposition,
presupposition,
postulation
in the sense of presupposition
the presupposition that human life must be sustained for as long as possible
Synonyms
assumption,
theory,
belief,
premise,
hypothesis,
presumption,
preconception,
supposition,
preconceived idea
in the sense of reason
Definition
a cause or motive for a belief or action
There is a reason for every important thing that happens.
Synonyms
cause,
grounds,
purpose,
motive,
end,
goal,
design,
target,
aim,
basis,
occasion,
object,
intention,
incentive,
warrant,
impetus,
inducement,
why and wherefore (informal)
in the sense of supposition
Definition
an idea or a statement believed or assumed to be true
There's a popular supposition that we're publicly funded.
Synonyms
belief,
idea,
notion,
view,
theory,
speculation,
assumption,
hypothesis,
presumption,
conjecture,
postulate,
surmise,
guesswork,
guess
in the sense of surmise
Definition
a conclusion based on incomplete or uncertain evidence
Her surmise proved correct.
Synonyms
guess,
speculation,
assumption,
thought,
idea,
conclusion,
notion,
suspicion,
hypothesis,
deduction,
inference,
presumption,
conjecture,
supposition
in the sense of temerity
Definition
boldness or audacity
patients who have the temerity to challenge their doctor