to assume

Examples

• All

• Since he is socially superior to anyone else on the ship, he assumes responsibility and command.

  Fiction book (1993)

• Parker immediately terminated the city's controller and assumed hiring authority for the city.

  Academic text (2017)

• And so I really want to assume that power for myself.

• And they assume that they can take whatever they want.

  Pompeii (2014)

• You are to assume full control of operation from now on.

  You Only Live Twice (1967)

• I assumed command of the mission.

  Starship Troopers (1997)

• I want the President to assume the responsibilities for this accident and resign.

  Gussy (2022)

• The Inagawa-kai want you to audit a bank before they assume control.

  The Accountant² (2025)

• And Crassus will save Rome from the slave army by assuming dictatorship.

  Spartacus (1960)

• Jubal whirled back toward the workstation's boards and began trying to assume control of the shuttle.

  Fiction book (1998)

Synonyms

T

to take

vsto assume

∞ 1.0

Move into a position or seat

is more about forceful or unauthorized control rather than general occupation

S

to seize

vsto assume

277 3.2

To take control of a place or person quickly, often by force

is more about formally gaining control or position than sudden capture

T

to take over

vsto assume

222 3.8

Gain control of a company, organization, or government

is broader, applying to seizing rights or positions beyond organizations

U

to usurp

vsto assume

34 8.6

To take power or a position from someone without the right, often by force

often covers taking control that may lack clear legal status

A

to arrogate

vsto assume

• Formal

1 9.9

To take a right or power that you do not have

usually involves active control or possession rather than only claiming rights

Antonyms

S

to surrender

722 4.4

To stop fighting and give control or things to someone else, often when forced

R

to relinquish

• Formal

69 7.2

To give up control, a right, or something you own

Idioms

A

to assume the mantle

• Formal

1 7.3

To take on an important role as a leader

A

to assume room temperature

8.2

To reach the same temperature as the room after being cold or hot

Phrasal Verbs

A

to assume the position

6 7.6

To stand or sit as someone in charge orders

How Forceful

to overthrow

127 5.1

to usurp

34 8.6

to seize

277 3.2

to assume

77 5.7

to take control

227 3.5

Surface Forms

Etymology