Assumption — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ə-ˈsəm(p)-shən/ as·sump·tion

Meaning & Definition of Assumption

Assumption (noun)

  1. a taking to or upon oneself
  2. the act of laying claim to or taking possession of something
  3. an assuming that something is true

Assumption (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. something taken as being true or factual and used as a starting point for a course of action or reasoning

    "the widespread assumption that violent entertainment leads to violent behavior in children"

    "your argument is faulty because it's based on erroneous assumptions"

    similar: given, hypothetical, if, postulate, premise, presumption, presupposition, supposition
    related: hypothesis, proposition, theory, thesis, axiom, truism, verity, belief, canon, doctrine, dogma, gospel, law, precept, principle, rule, standard, tenet, basis, foundation, ground, conclusion, deduction, inference, affirmation, assertion, avouchment, declaration, dictum, ipse dixit

  2. an exaggerated sense of one's importance that shows itself in the making of excessive or unjustified claims

    "his air of assumption tended to put people off rather quickly"

    similar: arrogance, bumptiousness, consequence, haughtiness, hauteur, high horse, huffiness, imperiousness, loftiness, lordliness, masterfulness, peremptoriness, pomposity, pompousness, presumptuousness, pretense, pretension, pretentiousness, self-consequence, self-importance, superciliousness, superiority, toploftiness
    related: authoritativeness, bossiness, bowwow, brag, dominance, high-handedness, condescension, disdain, scorn, chest-thumping, inflation, self-assertion, side (chiefly British), snobbery, snobbishness, snobbism, snootiness, attitude, cheek, cheekiness, impertinence, impudence, sauciness, boastfulness, bombast, braggadocio, bravado, strut, swagger, triumphalism, vaingloriousness, vainglory, cockiness, complacence, conceit, egoism, egotism, pride, pridefulness, self-assumption, self-centeredness, self-complacency, self-conceit, self-content, self-contentment, self-opinion, self-partiality, self-satisfaction, smugness, swelled head, vanity, superiority complex
    opposite: humility, modesty, unassumingness, unpretentiousness
    near: bashfulness, demureness, retiringness, shyness, diffidence, self-distrust, self-doubt, timidity, timidness, lowliness, meekness, mousiness, passiveness, passivity, submissiveness, quietness, reserve, reservedness

Related Entry: Self-assumption (noun)

Self-assumption is a different word from Assumption. The synonyms below are for self-assumption, not for assumption.

  1. an often unjustified feeling of being pleased with oneself or with one's situation or achievements

    "the self-assumption of the young Internet entrepreneur was positively stunning"

    similar: amour propre, bighead, complacence, complacency, conceit, conceitedness, ego, egotism, pomposity, pompousness, pride, pridefulness, self-admiration, self-conceit, self-congratulation, self-esteem, self-glory, self-importance, self-love, self-opinion, self-satisfaction, smugness, swelled head, swellheadedness, vaingloriousness, vainglory, vainness, vanity
    related: assurance, confidence, self-assurance, self-confidence, self-righteousness, arrogance, disdainfulness, haughtiness, imperiousness, lordliness, self-assertion, snobbishness, superciliousness, superiority, hubris, overconfidence, presumption, pretense, pretension, pretentiousness, egoism, self-centeredness, selfishness, self-pride, self-respect
    opposite: humbleness, humility, modesty
    near: diffidence, self-doubt, self-disgust, self-hate, self-loathing, altruism, unselfishness, bashfulness, demureness, shyness, timidity, timidness, passiveness, passivity

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Assumption

The most common words with a similar meaning to Assumption:

given, hypothetical, if, postulate, premise, presumption, presupposition, supposition, arrogance, bumptiousness, consequence, haughtiness, hauteur, high horse, huffiness, imperiousness, loftiness, lordliness, masterfulness, peremptoriness, pomposity, pompousness, presumptuousness, pretense, pretension, pretentiousness, self-consequence, self-importance, superciliousness, superiority, toploftiness

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Assumption

Words with the opposite meaning of Assumption:

humility, modesty, unassumingness, unpretentiousness

Related Words for Assumption

hypothesis, proposition, theory, thesis, axiom, truism, verity, belief, canon, doctrine, dogma, gospel, law, precept, principle, rule, standard, tenet, basis, foundation, ground, conclusion, deduction, inference, affirmation, assertion, avouchment, declaration, dictum, ipse dixit

Near Antonyms of Assumption

bashfulness, demureness, retiringness, shyness, diffidence, self-distrust, self-doubt, timidity, timidness, lowliness, meekness, mousiness, passiveness, passivity, submissiveness, quietness, reserve, reservedness

Origin & Etymology of Assumption

Middle English, from Late Latin assumption-, assumptio taking up, from Latin assumere see assume

First known use: 13th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Assumption

Words & Phrases Containing Assumption

self-assumption, on/under/with the assumption

Frequently Asked Questions about Assumption

What does "Assumption" mean?

"Assumption" means a taking to or upon oneself. As a noun, it is defined as: a taking to or upon oneself. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Assumption"?

Other words for "Assumption" include given, hypothetical, if, postulate, premise, presumption, presupposition and supposition. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Assumption" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Assumption"?

There are 113 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Assumption". Common alternatives include given, hypothetical, if, postulate, premise, presumption, presupposition, supposition, arrogance and bumptiousness.

What is the opposite of "Assumption"?

Antonyms of "Assumption" include humility, modesty, unassumingness and unpretentiousness. Near antonyms include bashfulness, demureness, retiringness and shyness.

How do you use "Assumption" in a sentence?

Examples of "Assumption" in a sentence: "the widespread assumption that violent entertainment leads to violent behavior in children"; "your argument is faulty because it's based on erroneous assumptions"; "his air of assumption tended to put people off rather quickly".

Is "Assumption" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Assumption" is a noun.

Is "Assumption" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Assumption" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Assumption"?

"Assumption" is pronounced /ə-ˈsəm(p)-shən/ and divided into syllables as as·sump·tion.