assume

v.

1. To take for granted

   suppose, presume, postulate, posit, presuppose, predicate, premise, take for granted, understand, gather, find, collect, theorize, ascertain, consider as true, draw the inference, judge, divine, get the idea, have an idea that, suspect, regard, consider, imply, hypothesize, guess, take without proof, treat as conceded, take it as given, conjecture, suppose as fact, deem, imagine, surmise, opine, estimate, speculate, fancy, take the liberty, be of the opinion, dare say, deduce, count upon, infer, conclude, put two and two together, be inclined to think, hold the opinion, think, calculate, hope, feel, believe, have faith, be afraid*, take it*, expect*, allow*, reckon*. *

   Antonyms doubt*, be surprised that, know. *

2. To pretend

   feign, put on, affect; see pretend 1.

3. To take

   seize, appropriate, arrogate; see seize 2.

assume implies the supposition of something as the basis for argument or action let us assume her motives were good; presume implies the taking of something for granted or accepting it as true, usually on the basis of probable evidence in its favor and the absence of proof to the contrary the prisoner is presumed to be of sound mind; presuppose may imply taking something for granted without necessarily having good reason this writer presupposes an extensive vocabulary in children or, in another sense, may imply that something is required as a preceding condition brilliant technique in piano playing presupposes years of practice; postulate implies the assumption of something as an underlying factor, often one that is incapable of proof his argument postulates the inherent goodness of humanity; premise implies the setting forth of a proposition on which a conclusion can be based See also syn. study at pretend.