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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of assume
Once selected, the independent monitor and their team will serve under a one-year contract, renewable annually for up to five years — or until Louisville Metro assumes self-reporting responsibilities under the Community Commitment agreement, whichever comes first.
—
Monroe Trombly, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Sep. 2025
After the death, Riley maintains that he was expected to assume both roles.
—Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 16 Sep. 2025
Israel’s airstrike last week targeting Hamas officials living in Doha on Tuesday united Gulf states in condemnation; the US and its allies had previously assumed Qatar, which has played a mediator role in negotiations between Israel and Hamas, would be off-limits in the war.
—Claire Cameron, semafor.com, 14 Sep. 2025
The fire is assumed to have been triggered by a lightning strike.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 14 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for assume
Monroe Trombly, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Sep. 2025
After the death, Riley maintains that he was expected to assume both roles.
—Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 16 Sep. 2025
Israel’s airstrike last week targeting Hamas officials living in Doha on Tuesday united Gulf states in condemnation; the US and its allies had previously assumed Qatar, which has played a mediator role in negotiations between Israel and Hamas, would be off-limits in the war.
—Claire Cameron, semafor.com, 14 Sep. 2025
The fire is assumed to have been triggered by a lightning strike.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 14 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for assume
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assume
Verb
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Nikki also shared a few candid sentiments upon accepting her award.—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
12 Sep. 2025
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Over the last month, three House Democrats have sworn off contributions from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee after accepting them in prior election cycles.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Doctors and public health experts said that the hepatitis B shot is currently recommended for all babies at birth because the risk if a baby is missed is too high.—
Dr. Jade Cobern,
ABC News,
18 Sep. 2025
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Aid groups say the Israeli military continues to restrict access to food, water, and humanitarian aid, worsening a crisis already marked by starvation and displacement.—
Kaity Kline,
NPR,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Bot gets 1 point for guessing in three and 1 for beating me, so 2 points x2 = 4.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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Throughout the early, character-developing scenes, the filmmaker throws in nightmarish visual and aural flourishes, leaving us guessing as to their meaning.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The study saw parents use actions to joke and pretend with kids aged 16 to 20 months old.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
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Scrolling on one’s phone can be a deadening experience, but here’s someone feeling, or at least pretending to feel, a genuine feeling—even if the abundance of these videos surely numbs us further.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The workers could be employed only by King and only for up to 10 months at a time.—
ProPublica,
ProPublica,
13 Sep. 2025
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Instead of using a single bulky lens, the camera employs a thin mask embedded with dozens of tiny lenslets, each capturing a unique perspective of the same object.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The market winner may be the vendor who shoulders the most admin and management through its data and services backbone and manages to keep the human in human resources.—
Adrian Bridgwater,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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Asked who is shouldering the cost of tariffs, the average respondent says 31% is paid by the consumer, 29% by wholesalers and importers, and 23% by retailers.—
Steve Liesman,
CNBC,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Even though those charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court, an open felony case can hurt a defendant’s chance of finding employment and housing, creating financial instability for them and their families.—
MARGARET SHREINER,
jsonline.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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It is presumed that Willi Castro, or Seiya Suzuki will play right field while Tucker heals.—
Bernie Pleskoff,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Damo doesn’t say anything about how the crew is not supposed to drink with the guests.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
16 Sep. 2025
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It’s supposed to be really hard to win Davis Cup ties on foreign soil.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Assume.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assume. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
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