1
as in immodest
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in arrogant
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 meddlesome
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
The mother took him in, pitying his orphan status and appreciating his straightforward manners, neither servile nor presumptuous, but respectful and unembarrassed and warm.
—
Daniyal Mueenuddin, New Yorker, 23 Nov. 2025
The request felt presumptuous, especially given the logistics involved.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 13 Nov. 2025
On its face, this behavior is perplexing, presumptuous even.
—R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 11 Oct. 2025
Thanks in advance' This phrase can seem presumptuous, undermining the other person's ability to say no.
—Melody Wilding, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for presumptuous
Daniyal Mueenuddin, New Yorker, 23 Nov. 2025
The request felt presumptuous, especially given the logistics involved.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 13 Nov. 2025
On its face, this behavior is perplexing, presumptuous even.
—R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 11 Oct. 2025
Thanks in advance' This phrase can seem presumptuous, undermining the other person's ability to say no.
—Melody Wilding, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for presumptuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for presumptuous
Adjective
-
They are sometimes fully clothed, sometimes less so—bare-breasted and bare-bottomed, coquettishly posed, festooned with kitschy props—unabashedly immodest in every sense of the word.—
Bryan Barcena,
Artforum,
1 Mar. 2026
-
The immodest middle section celebrates their grandson, Charles V, who commissioned this facade and decorated it with the complex coat of arms of the mighty Habsburg Empire.—
Rick Steves,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The series has devolved into a hysteria that the young and arrogant Timberwolves feed on since that first quarter of Game 2.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
-
However, many thought Tilson Thomas too brash and arrogant to lead an orchestra, and, around the same time, Tilson Thomas fell in with New York’s disco-hopping crowd.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The unit's playing time in those games had been limited by a combination of blowouts (wins and losses), minute restrictions (Aaron Gordon) and meddlesome minor injuries (Jamal Murray's ankle and shoulder).—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Woody Johnson is known to be meddlesome, impatient and easily influenced by headlines.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The six draft picks are listed in bold.—
Josh Kendall,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The bold, eye-catching top boasts a longline design, much like the exercise styles of the early 2000s, and the colorblock finish is the icing on the cake.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
And the less said of the poorly mixed, pompous Machina, the better.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
3 Mar. 2026
-
The pompous clergyman enters the life of the Bennet family, his distant cousins, with the assumption that, given his respectable position and benefactor, Lady Catherine De Bourgh, one of those daughters would be happy to marry him.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Her Southern accent is slightly clipped and officious, the type of drawl that’s a stamp of a suburban upbringing.—
Alex Morris,
Rolling Stone,
19 Mar. 2026
-
The former is the nerdier, more officious type in his bow tie and sport coat, the latter more rakish, a one-time rabble rouser who’s just happy to have something interesting to do.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
There is a feeling that City have a higher attacking ceiling than Arsenal’s more functional forward line, but defensive strength is equally important in the goal-difference stakes, and Arsenal’s imposing back four has been comfortably stronger all season.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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The Kings have only four goals in the series and have scored just once at even strength, so Smith scrambled his bottom two forward lines in practice Saturday in a search for speed in the offensive end.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Drenched in designer labels and working at the house of Christian Dior, Blunt’s Emily has become the pretentious partner of a billionaire tech mogul played by Justin Theroux, sources said.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
23 Apr. 2026
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Miss Manners is exasperated when people consider etiquette pretentious for supplying the necessary tools to get food to mouth.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Presumptuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/presumptuous. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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