ASSUME Synonyms: 195 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'assume' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of assume are affect , counterfeit , feign , pretend , sham , and simulate . While all these words mean "to put on a false or deceptive appearance," assume often implies a justifiable motive rather than an intent to deceive. // assumed an air of cheerfulness around the patients

Q: When would 'affect' be a good substitute for 'assume'?

The words affect and assume are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, affect implies making a false show of possessing, using, or feeling. // affected an interest in art

Q: In what contexts can 'counterfeit' take the place of 'assume'?

In some situations, the words counterfeit and assume are roughly equivalent. However, counterfeit implies achieving the highest degree of verisimilitude of any of these words. // an actor counterfeiting drunkenness

Q: How does the word 'feign' relate to other synonyms for 'assume'?

Feign implies more artful invention than pretend , less specific mimicry than simulate . // feigned sickness

Q: When is it sensible to use 'pretend' instead of 'assume'?

While in some cases nearly identical to assume , pretend implies an overt and sustained false appearance. // pretended that nothing had happened

Q: When is 'sham' a more appropriate choice than 'assume'?

The words sham and assume can be used in similar contexts, but sham implies an obvious falseness that fools only the gullible. // shammed a most unconvincing limp

Q: When might 'simulate' be a better fit than 'assume'?

The synonyms simulate and assume are sometimes interchangeable, but simulate suggests a close imitation of the appearance of something. // cosmetics that simulate a suntan

assume

verb

ə-ˈsüm

Definition of assume

as in to accept

to take to or upon oneself we promised to assume responsibility for any damage to the flower beds caused by the volleyball game in the backyard

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to say

to take as true or as a fact without actual proof everyone assumed, wrongly, that someone else was bringing dessert

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to guess

to form an opinion from little or no evidence as I just assumed it was too late to go out, I didn't think to ask

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to pretend

to present a false appearance of she assumed an air of nonchalance even though she was wildly ecstatic she was going on the date

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to employ

to provide with a paying job assumed as partner by the prestigious law firm

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb assume contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of assume are affect, counterfeit, feign, pretend, sham, and simulate. While all these words mean "to put on a false or deceptive appearance," assume often implies a justifiable motive rather than an intent to deceive.

assumed an air of cheerfulness around the patients

When would affect be a good substitute for assume?

The words affect and assume are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, affect implies making a false show of possessing, using, or feeling.

affected an interest in art

In what contexts can counterfeit take the place of assume?

In some situations, the words counterfeit and assume are roughly equivalent. However, counterfeit implies achieving the highest degree of verisimilitude of any of these words.

an actor counterfeiting drunkenness

How does the word feign relate to other synonyms for assume?

Feign implies more artful invention than pretend, less specific mimicry than simulate.

feigned sickness

When is it sensible to use pretend instead of assume?

While in some cases nearly identical to assume, pretend implies an overt and sustained false appearance.

pretended that nothing had happened

When is sham a more appropriate choice than assume?

The words sham and assume can be used in similar contexts, but sham implies an obvious falseness that fools only the gullible.

shammed a most unconvincing limp

When might simulate be a better fit than assume?

The synonyms simulate and assume are sometimes interchangeable, but simulate suggests a close imitation of the appearance of something.

cosmetics that simulate a suntan

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of assume But keep your eyes open, and don't just assume everything will come at a savings. — ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026 Lab testing found the virus in three of the baby goats, and a fourth is also assumed to have been infected, state officials said. — Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026 Tiley, who previously served as head of the Australian Open, was appointed the USTA CEO in February and assumed the role in July. — Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 29 Aug. 2026 Before assuming the worst, retrace the last 48 hours of food and any new medications. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for assume

Recent Examples of Synonyms for assume

Verb

How is this affecting all those people who felt seen and accepted by growing inclusivity?

— Marti Noxon, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
Immigration officials did not accept the letters, according to the group.

— Drew Aunkst, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of accept

Verb

Other areas of concern are the library system's self-check-out kiosks, instances in which minor teenagers handle materials while working or volunteering at a branch, and platforms for loaning electronic materials, Adams said.

— Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 28 Aug. 2026
If the show is now being repositioned as just for people who are fresh out of design school or who have made just one or two gowns before (like, cough, our beloved Jude), then say that.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of say

Verb

Tom Even non-football fans can probably guess who this one is about.

— Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 1 Sep. 2026
Instead of guessing the right prompt keywords, a user can simply instruct the model to track the camera left, soften the lighting or maintain a character's expression across different scenes.

— Coco Mao, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of guess

Verb

The two are only able to unlock a new understanding of each other by pretending to be strangers meeting for the first time.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
One, a 35-year-old man, pretended to be a San Francisco 49ers player or a wealthy real estate investor, the Department of Justice said.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of pretend

Verb

This metric measures the proportion of the working-age population that is either employed or actively seeking employment.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
The same restraint applies to professors, who will not be permitted to employ AI to write syllabuses or course materials.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of employ

Verb

Still other explanations presume that the gods’ artistic representations in ritual settings are the basis of the meaning of their multiform appearances.

— Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
The group presumes the deal would need approval from Chicago’s City Council as well.

— Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of presume

Verb

In that time, three technologies have arrived that were each supposed to make human support teams unnecessary.

— Antony P Gregory, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
It’s supposed to be scrubbed of personally identifiable markers, but how deep will that go?

— Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of suppose

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assume

assumed

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Style

“Assume.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assume. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of assume

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Synonyms of assume

verb

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