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. 1996Professor 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. 1989To 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 WebOn 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
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French presumptious, from Late Latin praesumptuosus, irregular from praesumptio — see presume