Synonyms for postulate

Most common

assume · suppose · presume · necessitate · pre-suppose · contend · posit

All synonyms

Verb

Noun

Definitions

1. v. 1

   To assume as a truthful or accurate premise or axiom, especially as a basis of an argument.

2. n. 1

   Something assumed without proof as being self-evident or generally accepted, especially when used as a basis for an argument. Sometimes distinguished from axioms as being relevant to a particular science or context, rather than universally true, and following from other axioms rather than being an absolute assumption.

Related words

Word family

postulation postulational

Phrases

parallel postulate triangle postulate

Forms

Plural

postulates → hypotheses, axioms, theories, assumptions…

Past participle

postulated
e.g. postulated → hypothesized, supposed, assumed, required…

Example sentences

• assume I assume that at some point Tom will just give up.
• suppose I suppose we're a little too indulgent to the dog.
• presume Don't presume to tell me how to raise my children!
• necessitate I'm not sure that this will necessitate that.
• contend He had to contend against physical suffering.

Popularity over time

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

3 letters

ask¹

4 letters

need¹, take¹

5 letters

axiom³, posit²

6 letters

theory², demand², assume²

7 letters

require³, suppose², involve², premise², presume², contend², surmise²

9 letters

principle³, facticity

10 letters

assumption³, hypothesis⁴, conjecture³

11 letters

speculation⁴, presumption³, necessitate⁴, supposition⁴, hypothesize⁴, hypothesise, hypothetise

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (axiom³ = 3 syllables).