premise 1 of 2

noun

ˈpre-məs How to pronounce premise (audio)
variants also premiss
Definition of premisenext
1
as in assumption
something taken as being true or factual and used as a starting point for a course of action or reasoning your conclusion is all wrong because you started out with a false premise

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in ground
premises plural the area around and belonging to a building detectives painstakingly searched the premises for clues to the disappearance

Synonyms & Similar Words

premise

2 of 2

verb

ˈpre-məs How to pronounce premise (audio)
as in to say
to take as true or as a fact without actual proof let us premise certain things, such as every person's need for love, before beginning our line of reasoning

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of premise
Noun
But to build a web of accusations based on false premises and the manipulation of reality in order to attack the Biennale and a film invited to compete is a petty and unacceptable act. — John Bleasdale, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026 Building on the premise of the short, the feature draws inspiration from hundreds of real stories from contemporary Russia, however is ultimately a work of fiction, and no character is intended to portray any specific individual. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 19 Aug. 2026
Verb
First, it was premised on RCA winning on its tortious interference claim (which RCA could not as related above). — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026 My classes are packed with many texts to read – often long, dense things – and my instruction has been premised on the idea that students would do the reading assignments. — Austin Sarat, The Conversation, 23 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for premise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for premise
  1. assumption
  2. ground
  3. say
  4. theory
  5. yard
  6. assume
  7. park
  8. presume
Noun
  • Friedman's research tested these assumptions directly, and nearly all of them failed.
    — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
  • But the photos also struck a chord as a defiant spin on assumptions and expectations for women at 60.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of assumption
Noun
  • The sprawling, lushly landscaped grounds feature a large main pool as well as a separate, quieter adults-only pool, all overlooking the ocean.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Without adequate reinforcement, shifting ground can cause tunnels to collapse suddenly, burying miners within seconds.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of ground
Verb
  • But the federal agency that has required companies to collect and report demographic workforce data since 1966 is now working to end that practice, a move some critics say would be a huge blow to civil rights enforcement.
    — Mirtha Donastorg, AJC.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Ferndale school officials say high school students gained experience through drone filming crews, race-day event management and supervised flight projects.
    — DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of say
Noun
  • These theories spreading online, one expert says, stem from people’s struggles to find a fulfilling explanation for what has happened.
    — Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Heck, for instance, studies how discrepancy theory can be applied to improve large language models and other machine learning systems.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of theory
Noun
  • More than 30 yards offshore, a 10-year-old girl was being pulled out by a rip current.
    — Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Black took eight carries in Thursday’s victory over the Chargers and turned them into 33 yards.
    — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of yard
Verb
  • States with higher average benefits would see larger cuts, according to CRFB, whose analysis assumes a 24% across-the-board cut.
    — Lorie Konish, CNBC, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Hayden Heights For years, any number of drivers passing the Hayden Heights Library on White Bear Avenue have assumed the boxy, unadorned 1979 building was some form of warehouse or private office, according to library surveys.
    — Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of assume
Noun
  • Under the proposal, the stadium's large parking area would be transformed into a flexible park with public recreational facilities and space for special events.
    — Sergio Candido, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • To the east of the park, plans include 165 miles of vehicle barriers.
    — Ashley Killough, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of park
Verb
  • The students are presumed to have been killed, but only bone fragments of three of them have ever been identified.
    — Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Richardson said Lindsey is presumed innocent but expressed concern about his criminal history, previous failure to appear in court and the number of cases involving him over the past three years.
    — CBS News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of presume

Browse Nearby Words

premierships
premise
premised
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Cite this Entry

“Premise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/premise. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on premise

Nglish: Translation of premise for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about premise

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