presume
verb (used with object)
to take for granted, assume, or suppose.
was presuming
-
past progressiveof presume.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
He said he was building a defense team for Mr. Hambali and was presuming that it would need a death-penalty specialist.
From New York Times ● Jun. 26, 2017
He insisted afterwards that he was presuming nothing about next week – saying: "That would be the coach's decision".
From The Guardian ● Nov. 27, 2012
Khrushchev was presuming a long-term Soviet lead in 5,000-mile intercontinental ballistic missiles.
From Time Magazine Archive
In this case, the source was presuming to describe a still unpublished report that neither the Newsweek correspondent nor the source possessed.
From Time Magazine Archive
Mr. Fabian frowned, and glanced side-ways from his eyes, to see if the young man was presuming upon his intelligence.
From Polly and Her Friends Abroad by Lillian Elizabeth Roy
