WordValepostulate
to assume as a basis for reasoning
In more detail
1. (verb) to suggest or assume something is true without proof, especially as a basis for reasoning
2. (noun) something assumed to be true without proof; a basic principle or assumption
Examples
- 1. The scientist postulated that water exists on Mars before any evidence was found. 2. One of the basic postulates of geometry is that parallel lines never meet.
How to use postulate
Postulate is used in formal, academic, and scientific contexts to describe the act of putting forward an assumption or principle that serves as a starting point for reasoning or theory, without requiring immediate proof. It is slightly more formal and rigorous than assume, and often appears in philosophical, mathematical, or theoretical discussions. The noun form refers to such foundational assumptions themselves.
Common phrases
- postulate that
- postulate as
- basic postulate
- fundamental postulate
- working postulate
Synonyms
assume · propose · suppose · posit · hypothesize
Opposites
prove · demonstrate · verify
Word family
postulation · postulated · postulating
A common mistake
Learners often confuse postulate with prove or demonstrate, when in fact postulate explicitly involves assuming something without proof as a basis for further reasoning.
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