Search

to take for granted or without proof:
to assume that everyone wants peace.
Synonyms: suppose, presuppose; postulate, posit.
to take upon oneself; undertake:
to assume an obligation.
to take over the duties or responsibilities of:
to assume the office of treasurer.
to take on (a particular character, quality, mode of life, etc.); adopt:
He assumed the style of an aggressive go-getter.
to take on; be invested or endowed with:
The situation assumed a threatening character.
to pretend to have or be; feign:
to assume a humble manner.
to appropriate or arrogate; seize; usurp:
to assume a right to oneself; to assume control.
to take upon oneself (the debts or obligations of another).
Archaic. to take into relation or association; adopt.
to take something for granted; presume.
Contemporary Examples

These guys also like their girls to be hairless, so they assume the girls want the same thing from them.
Why ‘Manscaping’ Isn’t Just for Porn Stars Anymore Lizzie Crocker December 28, 2011

But I’m going to take you at your word and assume that those claims are absolutes.
Two Good Questions from Readers Michael Tomasky August 29, 2012

Besides which, he should not just assume that Americans will blame the GOP if we go over the cliff.
Mr. Smith’s Insane Cousins Go to Washington Michael Tomasky December 20, 2012

But I thought it was worth underscoring because when it comes to science, we assume all previous discoveries were preordained.
Following Tuberculosis From Death Sentence to Cure Tessa Miller April 15, 2014

To jump into the fray is to assume some ownership of its unintended consequences, both moral and physical.
A Veteran Sees Echoes of Iraq and Argues Against Intervention in Syria Brian Van Reet September 8, 2013

Historical Examples

I assume 85 that you are a gentleman and will not destroy my letter.
Out of the Depths Robert Ames Bennet

I come before you and assume the Presidency at a moment rich with promise.
United States Presidents’ Inaugural Speeches Various

But let us assume that we have to drive away the English by fighting; how is that to be done?
Indian Home Rule M. K. Gandhi

What if Remorse should assume the features of an injured friend?
The Haunted Mind (From “Twice Told Tales”) Nathaniel Hawthorne

I can only assume it was the uncle he had been staying with.
Warren Commission (2 of 26): Hearings Vol. II (of 15) The President’s Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy

verb (transitive)
(may take a clause as object) to take for granted; accept without proof; suppose: to assume that someone is sane
to take upon oneself; undertake or take on or over (a position, responsibility, etc): to assume office
to pretend to; feign: he assumed indifference, although the news affected him deeply
to take or put on; adopt: the problem assumed gigantic proportions
to appropriate or usurp (power, control, etc); arrogate: the revolutionaries assumed control of the city
(Christianity) (of God) to take up (the soul of a believer) into heaven
v.

early 15c., assumpten “to receive up into heaven” (especially of the Virgin Mary), also assumen “to arrogate,” from Latin assumere “to take up, take to oneself,” from ad- “to, up” (see ad-) + sumere “to take,” from sub “under” + emere “to take” (see exempt (adj.)).

Meaning “to suppose, to take for granted as the basis of argument” is first recorded 1590s; that of “to take or put on (an appearance, etc.)” is from c.1600. Related: Assumed; assuming. Early past participle was assumpt. In rhetorical usage, assume expresses what the assumer postulates, often as a confessed hypothesis; presume expresses what the presumer really believes.