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
After Biden bowed out, VP Kamala Harris almost immediately became the presumptive nominee.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 22 Nov. 2024
While Cuban has vocally backed Democrats since, his activism ramped up when Kamala Harris became the presumptive presidential candidate after Joe Biden dropped out of the race in July.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024
By March, Trump had secured enough delegates to become the presumptive Republican nominee.
—Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 6 Nov. 2024
As the incumbent, the veteran politician was the presumptive Democratic nominee, clinching enough delegates in March, and locked in a tight race with former President Donald Trump.
—Maryalice Parks, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for presumptive 
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Matthew Carey, Deadline, 22 Nov. 2024
While Cuban has vocally backed Democrats since, his activism ramped up when Kamala Harris became the presumptive presidential candidate after Joe Biden dropped out of the race in July.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024
By March, Trump had secured enough delegates to become the presumptive Republican nominee.
—Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 6 Nov. 2024
As the incumbent, the veteran politician was the presumptive Democratic nominee, clinching enough delegates in March, and locked in a tight race with former President Donald Trump.
—Maryalice Parks, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for presumptive
Dictionary Entries Near presumptive
Cite this Entry
“Presumptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/presumptive. Accessed 30 Nov. 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
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