proposition

noun

ˌprä-pə-ˈzi-shən How to pronounce proposition (audio)
Definition of propositionnext
1
as in hypothesis
an idea that is the starting point for making a case or conducting an investigation started the discussion with the simple proposition that no one ever does anything out of pure altruism

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in proposal
something which is presented for consideration a neighbor with a business proposition to tell us about

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 proposition Adding New Hampshire to the list makes reclaiming a majority an even tougher proposition. — Axios, 12 Mar. 2025 In the forties, when the Red Scare began in earnest, a robust federal workforce was still a new proposition, and not one that everyone in Washington was willing to concede. — Beverly Gage, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025 Networking and interviews—When introducing yourself at networking events or in interviews, weave your value proposition into your elevator pitch. — Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025 And that circles us back to the Denmark-buys-California proposition, the comic counterweight to Donald Trump’s. — Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for proposition
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proposition
  1. hypothesis
  2. proposal
  3. theory
  4. suggestion
  5. thesis
  6. premise
Noun
  • The leading explanation for all of these mysteries is known as the giant impact hypothesis.
    — Paul Sutter, Space.com, 17 Mar. 2025
  • The causes of both events had been long debated, however one hypothesis has linked them to depletions in the Earth's protective ozone layer, such as might be caused by a supernova going off in local space.
    — David Faris, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of hypothesis
Noun
  • Neighbours City now offered United a groundshare, a reversal of Davies’ proposal after the First World War.
    — Michael Walker, The Athletic, 15 Mar. 2025
  • The militants were told that the proposal would have to be accepted soon, the U.S. statement said, adding that delay would not pay off for Hamas.
    — arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of proposal
Noun
  • No theory about what Facebook should be in the world.
    — Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Zoom in: Here are 10 theories, based on conversations with dozens of top Democrats, on what went wrong and what needs to change.
    — Alex Thompson, Axios, 22 Mar. 2025
Definition of theory
Noun
  • The biggest risk with AI is trust: The capability to understand the content or suggestions that AI provides, as well as its decision process.
    — Agur Jõgi, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Any suggestions besides just avoiding her? — Frustrated Daughter-in-law Dear Frustrated: Call her on it.
    — R. Eric Thomas, The Denver Post, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of suggestion
Noun
  • Ensuring this technology stack is mature and affordable needs to be our central thesis and goal.
    — Alan Ohnsman, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Our long-term thesis on underappreciated schizophrenia drug Cobenfy is still intact.
    — Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of thesis
Noun
  • So much story on Reba was mined from that initial premise that there was this other woman (Barbra Jean) who ultimately forced her way into Reba’s life.
    — Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Whatever issues this season had, stepping back from the ledge on which the entire premise seemed to be finding itself at the conclusion of last season isn’t the root cause.
    — Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of premise

Browse Nearby Words

proposing
proposition
propositions
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Proposition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proposition. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on proposition

Nglish: Translation of proposition for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about proposition

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
dog-in-disguise
Rhyme Disguise Quiz Pair up words that look different but sound alike.
See All