presumptuous
adjective
pre·sump·tu·ous pri-ˈzəm(p)-chə-wəs 
-chəs,
-shəs
: overstepping due bounds (as of propriety or courtesy) : taking liberties
presumptuously adverb
presumptuousness noun
Synonyms
- bold
- familiar
- forward
- free
- immodest
- overfamiliar
- presuming
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
To Yale University, he was David Sneed. And some people called him that. Close friends called him Marc. Not wanting to appear presumptuous, I tried not to commit to either, waiting instead for a signal. 
Peter Beinart, New Republic, 22 Jan. 1996 Professor Stegner mistook me, I fear, for an anti-intellectual, not understanding that I was in fact something far less presumptuous—a near-illiterate, especially compared to the rest of his blue-chip roster. Ken Kesey, New York Times Book Review, 31 Dec. 1989 To spy out the shape of God's Heaven was superfluous, presumptuous, and might prove blasphemous. Galileo was no better than a theological Peeping Tom. Daniel J. Boorstin, The Discoverers, 1983 it's a little presumptuous of you to assume that I'm your new best friend just because I invited you along the presumptuous doctor didn't even bother to explain to me the treatment that I would be receiving
Peter Beinart, New Republic, 22 Jan. 1996 Professor Stegner mistook me, I fear, for an anti-intellectual, not understanding that I was in fact something far less presumptuous—a near-illiterate, especially compared to the rest of his blue-chip roster. Ken Kesey, New York Times Book Review, 31 Dec. 1989 To spy out the shape of God's Heaven was superfluous, presumptuous, and might prove blasphemous. Galileo was no better than a theological Peeping Tom. Daniel J. Boorstin, The Discoverers, 1983 it's a little presumptuous of you to assume that I'm your new best friend just because I invited you along the presumptuous doctor didn't even bother to explain to me the treatment that I would be receiving Recent Examples on the Web On her first day back, her presumptuous mother signs her up for a job interview at her alma mater. Patrice Gillespie, Essence, 18 Aug. 2022 Moving to Washington, the Clarks lived in the Shoreham Hotel — de rigueur for new members of Congress, who felt buying a home might appear presumptuous. Clay Risen, BostonGlobe.com, 11 June 2022 Moving to Washington, the Clarks lived in the Shoreham Hotel — de rigueur for new members of Congress, who felt that buying a home might appear presumptuous. New York Times, 10 June 2022 That line of thinking seems haughty and presumptuous even in normal times. Ron Kroichick, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 June 2022 The move was presumptuous and unnecessary as Peggy’s father owns and operates his own pharmacy. Veronica Wells, Essence, 15 Feb. 2022 To dream of greater pleasures (such as a fair society) seemed to Céline almost presumptuous. Scott Bradfield, The New Republic, 25 Jan. 2022 However, Miss Manners is afraid that what this man did was not only presumptuous, but also somewhat menacing. Washington Post, 29 Oct. 2021 Seen through the lens of our moment, Stephen Crane can appear wildly presumptuous, a writer chronically inclined toward cultural appropriation. Mark Athitakis, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2021 See More
Patrice Gillespie, Essence, 18 Aug. 2022 Moving to Washington, the Clarks lived in the Shoreham Hotel — de rigueur for new members of Congress, who felt buying a home might appear presumptuous. Clay Risen, BostonGlobe.com, 11 June 2022 Moving to Washington, the Clarks lived in the Shoreham Hotel — de rigueur for new members of Congress, who felt that buying a home might appear presumptuous. New York Times, 10 June 2022 That line of thinking seems haughty and presumptuous even in normal times. Ron Kroichick, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 June 2022 The move was presumptuous and unnecessary as Peggy’s father owns and operates his own pharmacy. Veronica Wells, Essence, 15 Feb. 2022 To dream of greater pleasures (such as a fair society) seemed to Céline almost presumptuous. Scott Bradfield, The New Republic, 25 Jan. 2022 However, Miss Manners is afraid that what this man did was not only presumptuous, but also somewhat menacing. Washington Post, 29 Oct. 2021 Seen through the lens of our moment, Stephen Crane can appear wildly presumptuous, a writer chronically inclined toward cultural appropriation. Mark Athitakis, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French presumptious, from Late Latin praesumptuosus, irregular from praesumptio — see presume
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
presumptuous
adjective
pre·sump·tu·ous pri-ˈzəmp-chə-wəs
: going beyond what is proper
It would be presumptuous to ask personal questions.
presumptuous
adjective
1
as in arrogant
showing a lack of proper social reserve or modesty it's a little presumptuous of you to assume that I'm your new best friend just because I invited you along Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- arrogant
- familiar
- smug
- immodest
- selfish
- proud
- presuming
- overfamiliar
- important
- bold
- vain
- conceited
- confident
- vainglorious
- forward
- pompous
- supercilious
- pretentious
- impudent
- prideful
- egomaniacal
- bumptious
- haughty
- insolent
- snobbish
- egotistic
- uppity
- impertinent
- egoistic
- disdainful
- cavalier
- complacent
- egotistical
- brazen
- cocky
- audacious
- boastful
- self-important
- free
- domineering
- cheeky
- highfalutin
- high-and-mighty
- egoistical
- saucy
- sure
- overbold
- overweening
- sassy
- self-conceited
- brash
- brassy
- self-satisfied
- superior
- self-complacent
- braggart
- hoity-toity
- imperious
- hifalutin
- bragging
- self-assertive
- stuck-up
- lordly
- pert
- self-asserting
- self-assured
- bold-faced
- brassbound
- high-handed
- high-hat
- self-confident
- self-centered
- fresh
- self-absorbed
- self-concerned
- self-involved
- self-obsessed
- self-interested
- self-infatuated
- self-engrossed
- self-seeking
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- modest
- unassuming
- humble
- meek
- timid
- unassertive
- lowly
- unpretentious
- timorous
- bashful
- shy
- demure
- diffident
- mousy
- retiring
- down-to-earth
- mousey
- self-doubting
2
as in cavalier
having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude the presumptuous doctor didn't even bother to explain to me the treatment that I would be receiving Synonyms & Similar Words
- arrogant
- cavalier
- supercilious
- assumptive
- pretentious
- haughty
- bumptious
- superior
- pompous
- important
- uppity
- presuming
- smug
- domineering
- imperious
- sniffy
- high-and-mighty
- uppish
- dominant
- huffy
- masterful
- high-handed
- authoritarian
- hifalutin
- chesty
- proud
- condescending
- peremptory
- toplofty
- highfalutin
- impudent
- patronizing
- lofty
- overweening
- boastful
- self-assertive
- vainglorious
- huffish
- dominating
- conceited
- bossy
- impertinent
- snobbish
- hubristic
- disdainful
- lordly
- egocentric
- self-asserting
- toploftical
- vain
- cocky
- snobby
- narcissistic
- snooty
- saucy
- pontificating
- high-hat
- stiff-necked
- pontifical
- magisterial
- egotistical
- prideful
- egotistic
- bragging
- bombastic
- braggart
- immodest
- egoistic
- blusterous
- swaggering
- braggy
- complacent
- egoistical
- self-centered
- self-conceited
- uninhibited
- blustery
- self-satisfied
- self-complacent
- self-flattering
- brash
- self-promoting
- stuck-up
- extroverted
- self-loving
- self-affected
- orgulous
- unreserved
- forward
- self-pleased
- self-applauding
- extraverted
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- humble
- modest
- unpretentious
- lowly
- timid
- diffident
- bashful
- sheepish
- shy
- passive
- deferential
- subdued
- introverted
- demure
- mousy
- unassuming
- meek
- unarrogant
- unassertive
- shrinking
- submissive
- unobtrusive
- unaggressive
- acquiescent
- compliant
- self-critical
- cringing
- quiet
- self-doubting
- overmodest
- yielding
- mousey
- reserved
- retiring
- cowering
3
as in busy
thrusting oneself where one is not welcome or invited the presumptuous salesclerk started picking out some very expensive accessories for the outfit I had just chosen Synonyms & Similar Words
- busy
- intruding
- officious
- intrusive
- annoying
- meddlesome
- rude
- presuming
- obtrusive
- pushy
- interfering
- nosy
- meddling
- impudent
- insolent
- prying
- protrusive
- impertinent
- pushing
- brazen
- nosey
- trespassing
- snoopy
- bumptious
- curious
- inquisitive
- invading
- bold
- overbearing
- pestiferous
- harassing
- superserviceable
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unobtrusive
- reticent
- uninvolved
- silent
- quiet
- withdrawn
- taciturn
- reclusive
- hands-off
- reserved
- restrained
- subdued
- retiring
- inhibited
- single cross
- single cut
- single digits
- single doubler
- single entry
- single escheat
- single father
- single figures
- single file
- single fish
- single jack
- single jacker
- single knot
- single malt
- single man
- single market
- single money
- single mother
- single nickel salt
- single nontransferable vote
- single out
- single parent
- single premium
- single rhyme
- single shear