assume

verb

ə-ˈsüm How to pronounce assume (audio)
Definition of assumenext
1
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
2
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
3
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
4
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
5
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 President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act – assuming the version Senate Republicans passed on Tuesday becomes law–would cut the legs out from under the renewable energy industry. —Christopher Helman, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025 Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk has assumed oversight of Tesla Inc.’s sales in Europe and the U.S. following the departure of longtime deputy Omead Afshar, people familiar with the matter said. —Jim Edwards, Fortune, 1 July 2025 Many assume the button saves the conversation privately. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025 So in those circumstances the viewer would, of course, assume that that was that real person’s genitals. —Alex Ritman, Variety, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for assume
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assume
  1. accept
  2. say
  3. guess
  4. pretend
  5. employ
  6. shoulder
  7. presume
  8. suppose
Verb
  • The 45-year-old accepted a wild card to the Mubadala Citi Open in Washington, D.C. Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh hit a pair of home runs last night to bring his season total to 38, one shy of Barry Bonds’ 2001 record for homers before the All-Star break.
    — Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 12 July 2025
  • The bank could accept up to $5 billion during a fiscal year for the loans, loan guarantees, and bonds for eligible projects.
    — Molly Gibbs, Sacbee.com, 11 July 2025
Definition of accept
Verb
  • The case against Severance-Lopez, Yard said, hinges on a single email to Zhang containing a W-9 tax form.
    — Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 July 2025
  • The crash was reported shortly after 6:30 a.m. on June 28 at the intersection of West Taylor and Spring streets, San Jose police Officer Tanya Hernandez said in a news release.
    — Jason Green, Mercury News, 8 July 2025
Definition of say
Verb
  • Meanwhile, when other platforms misfire spectacularly, we're left guessing whether this reflects leadership views, corporate risk aversion, regulatory pressure, or accident.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 15 July 2025
  • But in the meantime, relatives could only guess the severity of the injury by observing the facial expressions of Nuggets personnel.
    — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 13 July 2025
Definition of guess
Verb
  • The scams might start out with a text from someone pretending to be a government official, such as a local sheriff.
    — Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 10 July 2025
  • At the time, he was asked why viewers should pay attention to a young actor pretending to be an undercover cop.
    — Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 10 July 2025
Definition of pretend
Verb
  • She had been employed at a Belleville assisted living facility.
    — Amanda Castro Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
  • The outlets reported that Robinson was employed as a security guard.
    — Michael Nied, People.com, 15 July 2025
Definition of employ
Verb
  • As health insurance premiums continue to climb across the country, a new report from WalletHub highlights which states are shouldering the heaviest burdens—and which are paying relatively little.
    — Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
  • After Lauryn Hill closed out the opening night of Essence Festival in the wee hours of Saturday morning, festival organizers shouldered blame for the delay.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 7 July 2025
Definition of shoulder
Verb
  • When four top film studio musicians formed the Hollywood String Quartet in the late 1930s, its name was presumed an oxymoron.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2025
  • The Iguana is presumed retired, having not made a peep in over a year.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 10 July 2025
Definition of presume
Verb
  • On her perfect day, in the arms of her youngest daughter, after being shot by a man who wasn't supposed to be in possession of a gun, Beverly Gumm chose her last breath.
    — Stephanie Kuzydym, The Courier-Journal, 14 July 2025
  • You're not really supposed to do that as the Attorney General.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 July 2025
Definition of suppose

Browse Nearby Words

assumably
assume
assumed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Assume.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assume. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on assume

Nglish: Translation of assume for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ten Painless Ways to Improve Your Vocabulary

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

Better Ways to Say 'This Sucks'

8 Words with Fascinating Histories
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Ten Painless Ways to Improve Your Vocabulary

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a plate of arepas
Name That Dish! Some mouth-watering food for thought
See All