Definition
Presumptuous refers to behavior that is excessively bold or forward, often without regard to what is appropriate or polite.
Pronunciation
US English
UK English
Part of Speech
Adjective
Synonyms
audacious, brash, bold, cocky, impertinent, impudent, overconfident, presuming, pushy, rash, saucy, uppity.
Antonyms
Humble, modest, meek, unassuming, deferential, respectful, discreet, polite, courteous, considerate, unobtrusive.
Word Forms
| Part of Speech | Words |
|---|---|
| Noun | presumptions, presumption, presumptuousness, presumptuousnesses |
| Verb | presuming, presume, presumed, presumes |
| Adjective | presumptive, presumptuous |
| Adverb | presumptuously |
Example Sentences
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It was presumptuous of him to assume that he could speak on behalf of the entire team without consulting them first.
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I found it quite presumptuous of him to ask for a raise, especially given that he had only been in his new job for a few weeks.
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While some may see it as confident, I think it’s presumptuous for anyone to assume that they know all of the answers.
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When my neighbor made presumptuous comments about my parenting, I had to remind her that she is not in a position to judge.
Usage
Presumptuous is a versatile word that is often used to describe behavior that is overly confident or intrusive. It is an adjective and is derived from the Latin word ‘praesumptuosus’, which means ’taken for granted’ or ‘supposed’.
The word presumptuous is often used when someone is acting in a way that suggests they assume they have more knowledge or authority than they actually do. This could be a person who interrupts others frequently in conversation, or someone who takes it upon themselves to make decisions for a group without others’ input. People who make presumptuous comments or assertions are often seen as arrogant or dismissive of others’ opinions.
It is worth noting that presumptuous can be used in a variety of situations, and is often used in a negative context to critique or criticize someone’s behavior. For example, one might say, “It is presumptuous of him to assume he knows what’s best for everyone else,” or “I found it presumptuous of her to speak on behalf of our team without conferring with us first.”
There are a number of related words that are derived from the same root as presumptuous, such as presumption, presume, and presumptive. Presumption is a noun and can be used to describe a belief or assumption that is not based on fact, while presume means to take something for granted or to suppose something to be true without evidence. Meanwhile, presumptive is an adjective that can describe something that is assumed to be true, but hasn’t been proven yet.
Overall, the term presumptuous is a useful word for describing behavior that is perceived as overstepping boundaries or exceeding one’s authority. As with any word, it’s important to be clear in context and to avoid using words that may come across as overly critical or negative.