presuppose

[pree-suh-pohz]

verb (used with object)

presupposed, presupposing 

1. to suppose or assume beforehand; take for granted in advance.

   Synonyms: presume

2. (of a thing, condition, or state of affairs) to require or imply as an antecedent condition.

   An effect presupposes a cause.

presuppose

/ ˌpriːsəˈpəʊz, ˌpriːsʌpəˈzɪʃən /

verb

1. to take for granted; assume

2. to require or imply as a necessary prior condition

3. philosophy logic linguistics to require (a condition) to be satisfied as a precondition for a statement to be either true or false or for a speech act to be felicitous. Have you stopped beating your wife? presupposes that the person addressed has a wife and has beaten her

Other Word Forms

• presupposition noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of presuppose¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Middle French presupposer; pre-, suppose

Example Sentences

Yet attributing Trump’s actions to his supposed dealmaking genius presupposes that he got something in return for backing down.

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It is presupposed that Trump, no matter what, will become the nominee.

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It’s a debate that presupposes a fixity, using language long-weaponized by conservative and far-right voices, that many are now challenging and rejecting.

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But it also presupposes a grim reality: that some civilian deaths might be proportional.

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But for many of us, a final resting place presupposes that one has had a final living place.

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Related Words

• infer 
• posit