presumptive
adjective
pre·sump·tive
pri-ˈzəm(p)-tiv 
1
: based on probability or presumption
the presumptive nominee/winner
see also heir presumptive
2
: giving grounds for reasonable opinion or belief
A blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent is considered presumptive evidence of drunken driving in Louisiana for those 21 and older.—
Joe Gyan Jr.
Joe Gyan Jr.He was admitted to the hospital with a presumptive diagnosis of cellulitis.—Mary Jo Bonner
Mary Jo Bonner… health departments in 20 states reported 100 presumptive or confirmed human cases of arboviral disease …—The Journal of the American Medical Association
The Journal of the American Medical Association3
: being an embryonic precursor with the potential for forming a particular structure or tissue in the normal course of development
presumptive retina
presumptively
adverb
Synonyms
Examples of presumptive in a Sentence
in that climate of fear, an accusation alone was presumptive evidence of guilt
Recent Examples on the Web
President Biden and other Democrats are increasingly focusing their attacks on an aggressive right-wing agenda called Project 2025 that is being pushed by allies of presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump — prompting Trump and his team to lash out in recent days at supporters of the effort.
—Hannah Knowles, Washington Post, 8 July 2024
Arizona local elections:Read our full coverage of the Surprise council race
Who’s running in Surprise's District 2?
As the presumptive District 2 council member, Greenberg will represent the heart of Surprise, where the U.S. 60 meets Loop 303.
—Shawn Raymundo, The Arizona Republic, 8 July 2024
The poll also found voters view Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, more capable of handling national security issues and dealing with China.
—Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 7 July 2024
Under three weeks ago, Biden proudly stood beside the likes of George Clooney, Barbara Streisand, and Julia Roberts as the stars headlined a glitzy fundraiser for the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.
—Emily Hallas, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 6 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for presumptive 
Hannah Knowles, Washington Post, 8 July 2024
Arizona local elections:Read our full coverage of the Surprise council race
Who’s running in Surprise's District 2?
As the presumptive District 2 council member, Greenberg will represent the heart of Surprise, where the U.S. 60 meets Loop 303.
—Shawn Raymundo, The Arizona Republic, 8 July 2024
The poll also found voters view Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, more capable of handling national security issues and dealing with China.
—Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 7 July 2024
Under three weeks ago, Biden proudly stood beside the likes of George Clooney, Barbara Streisand, and Julia Roberts as the stars headlined a glitzy fundraiser for the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.
—Emily Hallas, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 6 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for presumptive
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'presumptive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near presumptive
Cite this Entry
“Presumptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/presumptive. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
presumptive
adjective
pre·sump·tive
pri-ˈzəm(p)-tiv
1
: expected to develop in a particular direction under normal conditions
presumptive regions of the blastula
2
: being the embryonic precursor of
presumptive neural tissue
3
: giving grounds for reasonable opinion
a presumptive diagnosis of dengue
presumptive or confirmed cases of communicable disease
Legal Definition
presumptive
adjective
pre·sump·tive
pri-ˈzəmp-tiv
1
: based on presumption : presumed to have occurred
a presumptive violation of law
2
: giving grounds for reasonable opinion or belief
presumptively
adverb
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share