Skip to main content
supposition

supposition

23 7.3
An idea that people accept as true without proof
  • noun
  • /ˌsʌpəˈzɪʃən/
translation icon : suposición
  • Many scientific discoveries begin with a supposition that needs to be tested through experiments.
  • underlying supposition
  • rests on the supposition
  • confirm this supposition

There is nothing unthinkable in such a supposition.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • Precisely the same is true of the factual assertions and suppositions of the judgment.

    Academic text (1994)
  • "Put that way, I suppose I can accept your supposition," Silviu said.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • You know, my supposition is that most international programs generally are similar in what they study.

  • The Committee on Political Parties accepted this supposition, but its critics were quick to challenge it.

    Academic text (1992)
  • Well, people will believe what they want to believe, but in reality, it's not a credible supposition.

  • The general supposition is, despite these important caveats, robust and valid.

  • But I always work under the supposition that gouache is not going to cover pencil, and I work around that when I'm painting.

  • The fact that the Baptism also has a British provenance makes this supposition even more likely.

    Academic text (2012)
  • Administrators assume that they know what consumers need, but their suppositions may be erroneous.

    Academic text (1997)
  • The idea of dead people doing mischief seems based on a supposition that they overflow with hostility.

    Fiction book (1998)

Synonyms

belief
vssupposition
1.1

A feeling that something is true even without proof

is an intellectual unproven idea, not focused on personal feeling
guess
vssupposition
768 1.0

An answer or opinion made without enough information

is any unproven idea, not only quick or informal answers
assumption
vssupposition
513 3.5

A belief people accept as true without proof

is a general unproven idea that may or may not support arguments
premise
vssupposition
365 5.9

An idea accepted as true that supports an argument

is a general unproven idea, not always used formally in logic
speculation
vssupposition
288 4.8

A guess or idea made without enough proof

is a general unproven idea, not necessarily speculative or theoretical
sentiment
vssupposition
185 4.0

An opinion people have that is not based on proof

is a neutral unproven idea, not primarily an emotional attitude
hypothesis
vssupposition
138 6.1

An idea that may explain something but is not yet proven

is any unproven idea, not always a testable explanatory proposal
thesis
vssupposition
  • Formal
77 6.1

An idea put forward to be proved

is a general unproven idea, not necessarily offered for proof
conjecture
vssupposition
43 7.8

An opinion formed without enough proof, like a guess

is any unproven idea, not always a tentative explanatory guess
preconception
vssupposition
19 6.8

An opinion you form before you have enough facts that makes you judge unfairly

is any unproven idea, not specifically one formed early or biased
presupposition
vssupposition
5 7.7

A belief people accept as true before they discuss something

is any unproven idea rather than specifically a prior taken-for-granted premise
postulate
vssupposition
  • Specialized
4 8.1

An idea accepted as true without proof and used to build a theory

is a general unproven idea rather than a formally assumed proposition
basic assumption
vssupposition
4 3.3

A simple idea or belief that people accept without proof and that supports an argument

is a broader unproven idea that need not form a theory's foundation
surmise
vssupposition
3 7.9

An idea based on little evidence

is a broader unproven idea, not only tentative or tentative guesses
postulation
vssupposition
  • Specialized
1 9.3

An idea people accept without proof and use to build an argument

is a broader unproven idea not limited to formal claim usage
supposal
vssupposition
1 9.5

An idea you think may be true

is a held belief about truth rather than a tentative thought
posit
vssupposition
  • Specialized
1 9.6

A statement assumed true to use in an argument

is any unproven idea, not only those assumed for formal logic
surmisal
vssupposition
9.8

A guess without enough facts

is a neutral unproven idea, not necessarily weak or casual

Antonyms

1.0

Something that can be shown to be true, not an opinion

certainty
  • Literature
202 3.4

A strong feeling that something is true or will happen

How Certain

certainty
  • Literature
202 3.4
belief
1.1
supposition
23 7.3
assumption
513 3.5
guess
768 1.0

Surface Forms

supposition singular
suppositions plural

Morphology

supposition = suppose (transparent) = suppose + tion

A regular nominalization of the verb 'suppose' with the common suffix '-tion'; the noun's meaning ('assumption') is directly derived from the verb.

Etymology

Supposition comes from Latin parts sub- 'under' and ponere 'to place', and it shares its root with the verb suppose. A helpful way to remember it is to think of 'placing an idea under' your thoughts, so a supposition is something you offer without proof, an unproven idea.