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The Difference Between Assume and Presume
Assume and presume both mean "to take something for granted" or "to take something as true," but the words differ in the degree of confidence the person assuming or presuming has. Presume is used when someone is making an informed guess based on reasonable evidence. Assume is used when the guess is based on little or no evidence.
Presume functions a little differently in the legal catchphrase "presumed innocent until proven guilty." That sense of presume is separately defined as "to suppose to be true without proof." It is based on the fact that legal systems grant a defendant the presumption of innocence, thereby placing the burden of proof on the prosecution.
Synonyms
Examples of presume in a Sentence
Tim Arango, New York Times, 13 May 2024
Green focused on the loss of hostages presumed still to be in the captivity of Hamas, with his son passing out flyers with photos.
—Rey Covarrubias Jr., The Arizona Republic, 10 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for presume 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'presume.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Presume.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/presume. Accessed 18 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
presume
verb
Legal Definition
presume
transitive verb
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