1
as in arrogant
showing a lack of proper social reserve or modesty
it's a little presumptuous of you to assume that I'm your new best friend just because I invited you along
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cavalier
having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude
the presumptuous doctor didn't even bother to explain to me the treatment that I would be receiving
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in busy
thrusting oneself where one is not welcome or invited
the presumptuous salesclerk started picking out some very expensive accessories for the outfit I had just chosen
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of presumptuous
That’s not to say Aspinall cannot compete with him in the latter rounds, but that would be highly presumptuous.
—
Brett Appley, The Athletic, 26 July 2024
The light-skinned kid, Turner (Brandon Wilson), rebuffs Elwood’s gesture in response, thinking him presumptuous or fey, probably.
—Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2024
The former athlete/coach-mind in me couldn’t help but cringe … is Notre Dame being too presumptuous here?
—Pete Sampson, The Athletic, 26 July 2024
There have been presumptuous attempts, for example, to pin Bieber’s pill and promethazine addictions on the fallout from his two-day stay with the Bad Boy Records founder.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for presumptuous
Brett Appley, The Athletic, 26 July 2024
The light-skinned kid, Turner (Brandon Wilson), rebuffs Elwood’s gesture in response, thinking him presumptuous or fey, probably.
—Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2024
The former athlete/coach-mind in me couldn’t help but cringe … is Notre Dame being too presumptuous here?
—Pete Sampson, The Athletic, 26 July 2024
There have been presumptuous attempts, for example, to pin Bieber’s pill and promethazine addictions on the fallout from his two-day stay with the Bad Boy Records founder.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for presumptuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for presumptuous
Adjective
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So this kind of parallel can easily be drawn between Iran and other countries, [including those with] an arrogant isolation program, definitely.—
Georg Szalai,
The Hollywood Reporter,
13 Mar. 2025
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One of the targets of his reign of terror is arrogant Judge Stefan Mortensen, played by Oscar-winning actor Geoffrey Rush admitted to the facility after being left partially paralyzed after a stroke.—
Simon Thompson,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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One week into the rodeo and — as expected — it's been busy.—
Shafaq Patel,
Axios,
12 Mar. 2025
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However, the Panthers were able to get a two-year deal done with cornerback Mike Jackson after a busy day of negotiating elsewhere.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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On stage at Chicago Shakespeare’s Yard theater, the familiar iconography of the jukebox musical, a venerable Anglo-American genre, is being rehearsed.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Mar. 2025
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The perfumed notes are calibrated and restrained so that the blossoms underpin more familiar flavors like punchy, piney juniper and juicy pomelo peel.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appétit,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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There’s something officious about Alden Ehrenreich.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
21 Jan. 2023
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Her charming luxury treasure trove has none of that officious chilliness that defines the typical store of its ilk but instead feels like a brocanterie crammed with interesting, unexpected luxury goods from across the world.—
Mark Ellwood,
Robb Report,
2 Jan. 2023
Adjective
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While the Duttons are just barely scraping by, the smug evil-doer is enjoying a warm bath in his mansion.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
23 Feb. 2025
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Most of your editorials, John Brummett, Rex Nelson, and John Deering, are blatant Trump haters, and their smug, condescending echo-chamber mindsets are constantly denigrating, mocking, and disrespecting at least 64 percent of your potential readers.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Jaylon is a proud alumnus of the University of Georgia.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
16 Mar. 2025
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James, the proud dad was caught on camera celebrating the win like his own team had won the championship.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
16 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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There is a distance between a patient and a doctor or a nurse—there is an innate imbalance—and yet the procedures and conversations are deeply personal, even intrusive.—
Cressida Leyshon,
The New Yorker,
9 Mar. 2025
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To stay ahead, businesses should explore how technology can enhance personalization without feeling intrusive.—
Heidi Grimwood,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Not to be immodest, but the third did more than the second and the second did more than the first.—
Jesse David Fox,
Vulture,
4 Dec. 2024
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In my family you were not allowed to be immodest or boastful.—
Tribune News Service,
The Mercury News,
28 June 2024
Cite this Entry
“Presumptuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/presumptuous. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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