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

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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 Many said that older adults assume that students don't have the wherewithal to understand major issues and take a stand on them. —Cate Charron, IndyStar, 5 Feb. 2026 The perk of four reserve-level tickets for each of the 13 homestands in a season is worth $2,600 assuming the tickets are valued at $50 each. —Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026 It’s long been assumed that legislative actions have more sticking power than executive ones. —Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 5 Feb. 2026 Hiroki Totoki assumed the role of president and CEO of Sony Group in April 2025. —Todd Spangler, Variety, 5 Feb. 2026 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 retail space is needed to provide the shopping experience for residents coming in during the weeks and the warehouse space is for accepting goods from distribution centers and donations from the community.
    — Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Singer-songwriter Eric Nam accepted Rob Rausch's invitation from the previous episode to become a traitor.
    — Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of accept
Verb
  • China is pairing dominant-market level tech with emerging-market production costs, backed by its massive supply chain, Green said.
    — Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 16 Feb. 2026
  • Prosecutors said Richard Tillman had loaded his vehicle with fire logs before backing the car through the post office's front door.
    — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026
Definition of say
Verb
  • Amazon’s February deals include Apple AirTags to keep tabs on your luggage, because guessing where your bag landed is not the vibe.
    — Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 5 Feb. 2026
  • The rest of the judges floundered with Rita Ora guessing Selma Blair, Ken Jeong putting his money on Christina Applegate and Robin Thicke going with Danielle Fishel.
    — Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of guess
Verb
  • When Game 3 of the 1917 World Series between the White Sox and New York Giants was rained out, Lardner was in New York and wrote a fictional column pretending the game had actually been played.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Led by the energetic Danny, the show take viewers on adventures to find pirate treasure, pretend to be superheroes, and fly like an airplane.
    — Kara Nesvig, Parents, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of pretend
Verb
  • The company employs around 10,000 people.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 16 Feb. 2026
  • Around 20% of Americans aged 65 and older are employed—nearly double the share of those who were working 35 years ago—according to a 2024 analysis from Pew Research Center.
    — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2026
Definition of employ
Verb
  • Manager Joe Espada recently suggested those numbers reflected in part the workload Altuve shouldered for a short-handed roster.
    — Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 14 Feb. 2026
  • But the Dolphins will likely have to shoulder some of the financial responsibility, and might be asked to send assets to an interested team (draft picks or players) to sweeten any deal like the Houston Texans had to do to unload Brock Osweiler and his bloated contact in 2017.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of shoulder
Verb
  • It was widely presumed as a matter of faith that a model’s effectiveness was proportional to its mystery.
    — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
  • All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
    — Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of presume
Verb
  • You’re supposed to be focused on growth, not profitability.
    — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Originally supposed to fly Sierra Space Dream Chaser test flight, but payload switched to an inert mass simulator because of potential Dream Chaser delays beyond October launch date.
    — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of suppose

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Cite this Entry

“Assume.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assume. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of assume for Spanish Speakers

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