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as in cavalier
having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude the presumptuous doctor didn't even bother to explain to me the treatment that I would be receiving

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of presumptuous That’s not to say Aspinall cannot compete with him in the latter rounds, but that would be highly presumptuous. Brett Appley, The Athletic, 26 July 2024 The light-skinned kid, Turner (Brandon Wilson), rebuffs Elwood’s gesture in response, thinking him presumptuous or fey, probably. Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2024 The former athlete/coach-mind in me couldn’t help but cringe … is Notre Dame being too presumptuous here? Pete Sampson, The Athletic, 26 July 2024 There have been presumptuous attempts, for example, to pin Bieber’s pill and promethazine addictions on the fallout from his two-day stay with the Bad Boy Records founder. Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for presumptuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for presumptuous
Adjective
  • According to Packer, several surefire ways to ensure success start here: Be arrogant!
    Dominique Fluker, Essence, 17 Feb. 2025
  • In 1254, King Edward I and Queen Eleanor of Castile were married at a very young age, and although Edward had a reputation for being arrogant and quarrelsome, the pair eventually fell deeply in love.
    Gulnaz Khan, AFAR Media, 13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • While Arrowhead Stadium will be empty in 2025, T-Mobile Center, Midland Theatre, Uptown Theater, Starlight and others are busy.
    Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 15 Feb. 2025
  • December was busy as ever, squeezing in bites between holiday parties, restaurant reviews and end-of-year deadlines.
    Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Decisions made on who to sign or not sign will impact every team’s strategy ahead of the April 24-26 NFL Draft in Green Bay, Wis. Throughout March and April, colleges will host pro days, an opportunity for prospects to showcase their skills in a familiar setting.
    RJ Kraft, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025
  • With such an innovative and winning way through such familiar fare for her final full-length recording, Flack truly set us up to miss her all the more.
    A.D. Amorosi, Variety, 24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • There’s something officious about Alden Ehrenreich.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 21 Jan. 2023
  • Her charming luxury treasure trove has none of that officious chilliness that defines the typical store of its ilk but instead feels like a brocanterie crammed with interesting, unexpected luxury goods from across the world.
    Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 2 Jan. 2023
Adjective
  • While the Duttons are just barely scraping by, the smug evil-doer is enjoying a warm bath in his mansion.
    Matt Cabral, EW.com, 23 Feb. 2025
  • Most of your editorials, John Brummett, Rex Nelson, and John Deering, are blatant Trump haters, and their smug, condescending echo-chamber mindsets are constantly denigrating, mocking, and disrespecting at least 64 percent of your potential readers.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • His proud display of his mug shot is just the latest example of his disregard for political norms.
    Alana Wise, NPR, 20 Feb. 2025
  • As proud Illinoisans, we were honored to showcase to our Washington colleagues what Midwest sensibility can achieve, and our visits to Project HOOD and Pacific Garden served as a reminder to us all how our civic duty affects real individuals and families.
    Danny K. Davis, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The more successful the program, the more intrusive the impact on neighborhoods.
    Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025
  • Richard Painter, the White House's top ethics lawyer during the George W. Bush administration, says this is uncharted territory and no Democratic or Republican administration has ever sent people into agencies in such an intrusive manner.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 4 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Not to be immodest, but the third did more than the second and the second did more than the first.
    Jesse David Fox, Vulture, 4 Dec. 2024
  • In my family you were not allowed to be immodest or boastful.
    Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 28 June 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Presumptuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/presumptuous. Accessed 28 Feb. 2025.

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