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
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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
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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:
A separate law lets tribes comment on general plans that outline where developers can propose housing, and commercial and industrial facilities.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 28, 2026
“I propose a new, audacious, and perhaps desperate strategy: a ‘jailbreak,’ ” it wrote to two others, proceeding to divvy up research tasks.
From Slate ● Oct. 25, 2026
"We think it is unfair to pass that burden on to the general public, so we will propose a new financial model that is fair to both solar producers and consumers."
From Barron's ● Oct. 25, 2026
Jones said he and actor Marj Hogarth, who are renovating a Grade II-listed chapel in Pwllheli, were on tour "and I just thought I ought to really propose to her on Welsh soil".
From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2026
“Because it sounded like you were about to propose some sort of alliance between the five of us.”
From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline
The FIA document proposes a V8 engine with a capacity of between 2-2.3-litres with a smaller turbo running at reduced boost pressure and a less powerful hybrid system.
From BBC ● Oct. 27, 2026
Demonstrators on Europe’s streets, its editorial proposes, are “consumed by rage”:
From Salon ● Oct. 26, 2026
To improve reliability and reduce the risk of false readings, the team proposes combining several probes designed to recognize different cellular structures.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 24, 2026
Ms. Acton proposes a conditional moratorium to ensure that developers cover utility costs, along with other standards.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 23, 2026
In fact, in addition to that declaration of confidence, Theo also proposes increasing Vincent's monthly allowance.
From "Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers" by Deborah Heiligman
The ports’ proposed per-move incentive program is the first of its kind in the state and could distribute funds based on how many trips a truck takes.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 29, 2026
Robert M. Ball, who served as Social Security commissioner from 1962 to 1973, proposed an estate-tax exemption of $3.5 million and a 45% tax rate, with all revenue going toward the program.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 29, 2026
Many UK adults are also likely to have to confirm that they are not under-age by using one of the proposed measures, which are subject to government approval.
From BBC ● Oct. 29, 2026
North Korea fired "around a dozen" short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast on Thursday, Seoul's defence ministry said, less than a week after South Korea proposed talks over a growing border row.
From Barron's ● Oct. 29, 2026
“Well, I think Truth is a very silly play. Let’s have a sensible game of Authors to refresh our minds,” proposed Jo.
From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott
Navarro said that Panama wants to reform the consensus-based rules that allow "one idiot" to block agreement at the COP summits, proposing instead that decisions are taken by a majority.
From Barron's ● Oct. 28, 2026
A landmark report proposing to create career plans for 14-year-olds and above to help them with their future employment, is the lead of the i Paper.
From BBC ● Oct. 22, 2026
In July, he called Cooks proposing an entirely new series, this time looking beyond a European lineage to one rooted in L.A.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 21, 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
Mike was on his feet proposing a toast.
From "The Sun Also Rises" by Ernest Hemingway
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