supposititious
1
9.9
- adjective
- /ˌsʌpəˈzɪtɪʃəs/
- Many theories about ancient civilizations are supposititious until new evidence comes to light.
Examples
-
Her reasons for leaving were supposititious, based on assumptions rather than facts.
-
In fact, the presence of a son in a sister's house was immaterial: a sister could marry her brother's daughter on behalf of a supposititious son (Krige 1938:279).
Academic text (1998) -
It is equally excellent and inconclusive to say that one must write from experience; to our supposititious aspirant, such a declaration might savour of mockery.
Academic text (2010) -
The detective dismissed the evidence as merely supposititious, lacking any real proof.
Synonyms
142
3.7
Thought to be true but often doubted
92
6.9
Not proved and used for discussion or testing
39
6.7
Based on guesses rather than facts
36
7.5
Not supported by facts or proof
26
7.3
Likely to be true because of evidence, not certain
10
7.9
Thought by many to be true but not proved
2
8.2
Made as a guess when there is little evidence
1
4.8
Likely to be true based on the facts
1
8.3
An idea people use as a guess for testing or discussion
1
9.9
Not supported by facts
1
9.3
Based on an idea rather than on solid proof
Based on guessing rather than on good evidence
Antonyms
How Certain
Surface Forms
Etymology
Supposititious comes from the old Latin verb supponere, made of sub- 'under' and ponere 'to put', and it shares the same root as suppose. So, to call an idea supposititious is to say it is 'put under' as a guess or assumption rather than based on real facts.