presumptive
adjective
pre·sump·tive
pri-ˈzəm(p)-tiv 
1
: based on probability or presumption
the presumptive nominee/winner
see also heir presumptive
2
: giving grounds for reasonable opinion or belief
A blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent is considered presumptive evidence of drunken driving in Louisiana for those 21 and older.—
Joe Gyan Jr.
Joe Gyan Jr.He was admitted to the hospital with a presumptive diagnosis of cellulitis.—Mary Jo Bonner
Mary Jo Bonner… health departments in 20 states reported 100 presumptive or confirmed human cases of arboviral disease …—The Journal of the American Medical Association
The Journal of the American Medical Association3
: being an embryonic precursor with the potential for forming a particular structure or tissue in the normal course of development
presumptive retina
presumptively
adverb
Examples of presumptive in a Sentence
in that climate of fear, an accusation alone was presumptive evidence of guilt
Recent Examples on the Web
The presumptive Canadian case is tied to an outbreak of the Andes strain of hantavirus aboard the MV Hondius expedition cruise ship.
—Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 16 May 2026
The redshirt junior is already the presumptive Heisman favorite heading into this season, and the Longhorns will be viewed as one of the teams with the shortest odds to win it all.
—Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
His attorneys pointed out the state charge, which was soon dropped after the federal case was filed, had called for a presumptive probationary sentence.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 14 May 2026
Several Democrats are vying for the chance to take on presumptive Republican nominee Brinker Harding, a member of the Omaha City Council who is running unopposed in the GOP primary.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for presumptive
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.
Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 16 May 2026
The redshirt junior is already the presumptive Heisman favorite heading into this season, and the Longhorns will be viewed as one of the teams with the shortest odds to win it all.
—Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
His attorneys pointed out the state charge, which was soon dropped after the federal case was filed, had called for a presumptive probationary sentence.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 14 May 2026
Several Democrats are vying for the chance to take on presumptive Republican nominee Brinker Harding, a member of the Omaha City Council who is running unopposed in the GOP primary.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for presumptive
Cite this Entry
“Presumptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/presumptive. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
presumptive
adjective
pre·sump·tive
pri-ˈzəm(p)-tiv
1
: expected to develop in a particular direction under normal conditions
presumptive regions of the blastula
2
: being the embryonic precursor of
presumptive neural tissue
3
: giving grounds for reasonable opinion
a presumptive diagnosis of dengue
presumptive or confirmed cases of communicable disease
Legal Definition
presumptive
adjective
pre·sump·tive
pri-ˈzəmp-tiv
1
: based on presumption : presumed to have occurred
a presumptive violation of law
2
: giving grounds for reasonable opinion or belief
presumptively
adverb
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
