presuppose

verb

pre·​sup·​pose ˌprē-sə-ˈpōz 

presupposed; presupposing; presupposes

transitive verb

1

: to suppose beforehand

2

: to require as an antecedent in logic or fact

presupposition

(ˌ)prē-ˌsə-pə-ˈzi-shən 

noun

presuppositional

(ˌ)prē-ˌsə-pə-ˈzish-nəl 

-ˈzi-shə-nᵊl

adjective

Synonyms

• assume
• hypothecate
• hypothesize
• postulate
• premise
• presume
• say
• suppose

Examples of presuppose in a Sentence

The rule presupposes a need to restrict student access to the library.

the book presupposes its readers will already know something about the subject

Recent Examples on the Web

This is one of the two theories that presuppose that there is divine retribution in Hollywood. —Jeanie Kasindorf, Vulture, 10 July 2024

But it is reversed in Trump’s relationship with Zelensky, where 'X’ is presupposed by Zelensky's acceptance of being a 'you' who respects and conforms to Trump's 'me'. —Pia Lauritzen, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025

Ackerman’s position presupposes that the United States should have risked this highly probable sequence of events. —Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2022

Put differently, the kidnappings presuppose a collective enemy without individual faces or humanity. —Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French presupposer, from Medieval Latin praesupponere (perfect indicative praesupposui), from Latin prae- + Medieval Latin supponere to suppose — more at suppose

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for presuppose

• agarose
• aliquots
• amigos
• anthracnose
• bottlenose
• buffaloes
• bungalows
• calicoes
• cameos
• commandos
• conversos
• decompose

Kids Definition

presuppose

verb

pre·​sup·​pose ˌprē-sə-ˈpōz 

: to take something to be true : suppose ahead of time

the book presupposes its readers will know something about the subject

presupposition

(ˌ)prē-ˌsəp-ə-ˈzish-ən 

noun