presuppose

[ pree-suh-pohz ]

verb (used with object)

, pre·sup·posed, pre·sup·pos·ing.

1. to suppose or assume beforehand; take for granted in advance.

   Synonyms: presume

2. (of a thing, condition, or state of affairs) to require or imply as an antecedent condition:

   An effect presupposes a cause.

presuppose

/ ˌpriːsəˈpəʊz; ˌpriːsʌpəˈzɪʃən /

verb

1. to take for granted; assume
2. to require or imply as a necessary prior condition
3. philosophy logic linguistics to require (a condition) to be satisfied as a precondition for a statement to be either true or false or for a speech act to be felicitous. Have you stopped beating your wife? presupposes that the person addressed has a wife and has beaten her

Derived Forms

• presupposition, noun

Other Words From

• pre·sup·po·si·tion [pree-suhp-, uh, -, zish, -, uh, n], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of presuppose¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Middle French presupposer; pre-, suppose

Example Sentences

What all these positions presuppose, even while being in conflict with one another, is that if the president “shuts down” the border, it will reduce the number of attempted crossings by migrants and ameliorate what both parties describe as a chaotic, overwhelmed immigration system.

From Slate

“Democrats want us to presuppose every parent is abusive and schools should keep secrets,” Hugin said, summarizing his view.

From Washington Times

“Democrats want us to presuppose every parent is abusive and schools should keep secrets,” Hugin said, summarizing his view.

From Seattle Times

"Today's announcement does not presuppose or any way suggest the outcome of the investigations into the tragic incident," he said in a statement.

From Reuters

"Today's announcement does not presuppose or any way suggest the outcome of the investigations into the tragic incident," he said in a statement.

From Reuters

Related Words

• infer
• posit