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Synonyms

assumed

American  
[uh-soomd] / əˈsumd /

adjective

  1. adopted in order to deceive; fictitious; pretended; feigned.

    an assumed name; an assumed air of humility.

  2. taken for granted; supposed.

    His assumed innocence proved untrue.

  3. usurped.


assumed British  
/ əˈsjuːmd /

adjective

  1. false; fictitious

    an assumed name

  2. taken for granted

    an assumed result

  3. usurped; arrogated

    an assumed authority

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of assumed

First recorded in 1615–25; assume + -ed 2

Explanation

When something is described as assumed, it's fake. An assumed name is made up, often to hide a true identity. If you're living under an assumed name, you've taken on a new, fictitious name to disguise yourself or simply to start over as a new person — to give yourself an assumed identity. An assumed facial expression is false, and an assumed address isn't your real one. The adjective assumed comes from the meaning of assume that's "take on or adopt, often falsely," from the Latin assumere, "to take up."

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Vocabulary lists containing assumed

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Assumed it was some sort of decision not to.

From New York Times • Mar. 20, 2023

Assumed already dead by many, the final Betamax cassette will roll off the production line in March 2016 as its maker concedes defeat to the march of time, 20 ,maybe 30, years late.

From The Guardian • Nov. 10, 2015

Not one of them was capable of lying, There was not one which knew that it was dying Or could have with a rhythm or a rhyme Assumed responsibility for time.

From Time • Mar. 19, 2014

Assumed to have been completely landscaped in the 18th Century, Mr Jacques realised the area had not been and decided to investigate.

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2013

He got up, tried to get to the door, heard someone racing down the stairs, and assumed it was the boy. 6TH JUROR: I think that’s possible. 3RD JUROR: Assumed?

From "Twelve Angry Men" by Reginald Rose