presumptuous

[pri-zuhmp-choo-uhs]

adjective

1. full of, characterized by, or showing presumption or readiness to presume in conduct or thought, as by saying or doing something without right or permission.

   Synonyms: arrogant, fresh, audacious, impertinent
   Antonyms: unassuming, modest

2. unwarrantedly or impertinently bold; forward.

   Synonyms: arrogant, fresh, audacious, impertinent
   Antonyms: unassuming, modest

3. Obsolete.,  presumptive.

presumptuous

/ prɪˈzʌmptjʊəs /

adjective

1. characterized by presumption or tending to presume; bold; forward

2. an obsolete word for presumptive

Other Word Forms

• presumptuousness noun
• presumptuously adverb
• overpresumptuous adjective
• overpresumptuously adverb
• overpresumptuousness noun
• unpresumptuous adjective
• unpresumptuously adverb
• unpresumptuousness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of presumptuous¹

1300–50; Middle English < Late Latin praesūmptuōsus, variant of Latin praesūmptiōsus. See presumption, -ous

Synonym Study

See bold.

Example Sentences

It’s also highly presumptuous on his part, reflecting an increased arrogance among lawmakers around the country who are saying to voters, in effect, “Thank you for your input. Now go away.”

From Los Angeles Times

Nearly two hours are spent jumping between concurrent storylines, and had Koepp’s screenplay allotted all 120 of those minutes to the film’s stars, “Rebirth” might actually feel worthy of its presumptuous title.

From Salon

Speaking on Sky Italia, the former Juventus, AC Milan and England coach said Guardiola was "way too arrogant and presumptuous" because he wanted to prove City were winning matches through his tactics.

From BBC

"It's presumptuous to say that, but I think yes," Biden told the outlet when asked if he would have won in November.

From Salon

"I think it would be presumptuous to say that, okay, now we are doomed here in the Nordics because one company has failed," she argues.

From BBC

Related Words

• arrogant 
• foolhardy 
• overconfident 
• pompous 
• pretentious 
• pushy 
• rude 
• smug