propose
Americanverb (used with object)
-
proposes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
proposed,
past participle, past
-
proposing
present participle
-
to offer or suggest (a matter, subject, case, etc.) for consideration, acceptance, or action.
to propose a new method.
- Antonyms:
- withdraw
-
to offer (a toast).
-
to suggest.
He proposed that a messenger be sent.
-
to present or nominate (a person) for some position, office, membership, etc.
-
to put before oneself as something to be done; design; intend.
-
to present to the mind or attention; state.
-
to propound (a question, riddle, etc.).
verb (used without object)
-
proposes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
proposed,
past participle, past
-
proposing
present participle
-
to make an offer or suggestion, especially of marriage.
-
to form or consider a purpose or design.
verb
-
(when tr, may take a clause as object) to put forward (a plan, motion, etc) for consideration or action
-
(tr) to nominate, as for a position
-
(tr) to plan or intend (to do something)
I propose to leave town now
-
(tr) to announce the drinking of (a toast) to (the health of someone, etc)
-
to make an offer of marriage (to someone)
Synonym Usage
See intend.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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proposernoun
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misproposeverb
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reproposeverb
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proposableadjective
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unproposableadjective
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unproposingadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
proposesimple
-
proposessimple
-
have proposedperfect
-
has proposedperfect
-
am proposingprogressive
-
are proposingprogressive
-
is proposingprogressive
-
have been proposingperfect progressive
-
has been proposingperfect progressive
Past
-
proposedsimple
-
had proposedperfect
-
was proposingprogressive
-
were proposingprogressive
-
had been proposingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of propose
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Middle French proposer ( see pro- 1, pose 1), by association with derivatives of Latin prōpositus, past participle of prōpōnere “to set forth;” See propositus
Explanation
The verb propose means "to suggest a plan," like the most well-known thing to propose: marriage. If you propose to your girlfriend, you propose getting married, and you probably give her a ring, too. The word propose comes from the Old French root words pro, meaning "forth" and poser, meaning "put, place." Using propose to refer to an offer of marriage was first recorded in the 1700s but the verb also has other meanings. It can mean to present for consideration or criticism, like proposing a four-day school week or "to nominate someone for an elected office or official post."
Vocabulary lists containing propose
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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The SAT: Language of the Test, List 5
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The Language of Standardized Tests, List 3
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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.
See Examples For:
The researchers propose that after the star expelled this chemically enriched material, some of it gathered together and eventually formed a gas giant planet.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 9, 2026
A draft of the study didn’t propose only one solution but advocated for 23 different strategies, including bluff stabilization, catchment walls, sand placement, engineered revetments or seawalls and rail-foundation improvements.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026
Hence the report’s nod to the need for change, though it doesn’t propose reforms that would break the campus culture of conformity and entitlement.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026
Cornell University on Tuesday became the latest elite school to propose a course-correction as it navigates one of the toughest periods in the history of American higher education.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 22, 2026
The most influential rhetorical handbook between the ages of Cicero and Shakespeare, however, Ad Herennium, gives us six parts, which is the scheme I propose to adopt.
From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith
Ms. Komatireddy also proposes to create a new office of civil commitment, staffed with law enforcement and healthcare professionals, to help address homelessness and drug deaths.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026
The work is part of Banerjee's broader research into RNA world theory, which proposes that RNA played a central role in the emergence of life on Earth.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 2, 2026
The Citizenship by Investment Program announced by the government proposes two "simple and transparent mechanisms" for obtaining an Argentine passport.
From Barron's ● Oct. 2, 2026
DeMaio questioned whether Weber understood what Proposition 39 proposes.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2026
He proposes that a declaration of war should be a kind of popular festival with entrance-tickets and bands, like a bull fight.
From "All Quiet on the Western Front: A Novel" by Erich Maria Remarque
Nine companies have objected to having their shares trade on OKXICE’s proposed platform, highlighting resistance to a new model of stock trading.
From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026
Frayssinous made clear he would welcome the NRL's proposed investment in Super League.
From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026
Indonesia would be the first Asia-Pacific market to have a standalone status if the proposed downgrade takes place.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
His proposed solution is “radical transparency” — a familiar Silicon Valley mantra with an ironic resonance given Theranos’ notorious culture of secrecy.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026
Others proposed that Garfield's chest pain shortly before death was more likely the result of a blood clot in his heart.
From "Ambushed!" by Gail Jarrow
A bill proposing to ban the use of animals in Russian circuses was put to the lower house of parliament, the State Duma, this year.
From Barron's ● Oct. 14, 2026
Mikula filed a citizen petition in August 2025 proposing the change and it will appear on ballots statewide this November.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 13, 2026
But there is no sign of the government proposing such a change, nor when the stricter rules will take effect.
From BBC ● Oct. 12, 2026
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission is proposing to provide what it describes as additional clarity on the term “swap” that would include event contracts used in prediction market trading.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026
I know without being told that what he’s proposing is risky, for him but especially for me; but I want to go anyway.
From "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood
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