Pick the formal, semi-common, mildly insulting word "presumptuous" to describe people who really should have checked if their actions would be welcome before they just went ahead and did them.

Some examples of presumptuousness include thinking you're smarter than everyone else, thinking you know the best course of action, thinking that other people would be honored if you asked them out or forced them into a conversation, and thinking that other people ought to instantly grant your requests for favors that cost them time, money, and effort.

You might say that someone strikes you as presumptuous, or that you found it presumptuous when someone did something, or that it was presumptuous of someone to do something, or that it would have been presumptuous for someone to do some particular thing, or that you didn't want to be thought of as presumptuous if you did something.

"If you're going to do something sponsored for charity, it should be something impressive, like a marathon or swimming the channel. Asking for money for growing a moustache seemed quite presumptuous, as, assuming you're an average adult human male, it's not something you can stop yourself doing; you literally do it in your sleep." 
  — Dean Burnett, The Guardian, 20 November 2012

"On paper, the [wedding] registry seems greedy and presumptuous. But in reality, what's way more greedy and presumptuous is wanting the ego-fluffing of the surprise gift that happens to be just what you wanted—wanting someone to have spent the time and energy listing out what they know about you (or researching to find out) so they can come up with their own ideas." 
  — Amanda Marcotte, Slate, 24 May 2010

has this page helped you understand "presumptuous"?

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Thanks for letting me know!
If you have any questions about this term, please message me at Liesl@HiloTutor.com.

study it:

Explain the meaning of "presumptuous" without saying "entitled" or "overly bold."

try it out:

In the Guardian, Nick Cohen pointed out a widespread presumption:

"For years, there has been a presumptuous idea in university literary departments that a novelist's intentions are irrelevant and that the last person who can explain a work's meaning is its author. That task must fall to critics, who, strangely enough, do not write novels themselves but produce theory in university literary departments."

I have to laugh at the accuracy. This presumptuous idea was, in fact, drilled into me by university literary professors.

With this in mind as an example, talk about a widespread presumptuous idea within your own field, career, or hobby. What is it that people so presumptuously believe? What makes the belief presumptuous?

If you like, use this space to write. (To save your work, copy and paste it into an email or a document.)

before you review, play:

Try to spend 20 seconds or more on the game below. Don’t skip straight to the review—first, let your working memory empty out.

Our game this month is "What Are You Implying?"

Build your word-finding muscle as you reach for synonyms for various implications.

For example, what's a synonym for "living thing" that
   1. ...implies that someone made it?
   2. ...implies that it simply exists?
   3. ...implies that it has an intangible essence?

Your answers could be 1. "creature," 2. "being," and 3. "soul."

Try these today:

What's a synonym for "to fill" that
   1. ...implies that something fills up the whole space?
   2. ...implies that something fills the space frequently, like a ghost? 
   3. ...implies that something fills the space with everything needed or required? 

To see some possible answers, scroll all the way down.

review this word:

1. The opposite of PRESUMPTUOUS could be

A. QUINTESSENTIAL: pure, perfect, essential, or the most typical example of its kind.
B. EXPONENTIAL: growing, increasing, or expanding in an extremely fast way by multiplying themselves again and again (or seeming to).
C. DEFERENTIAL: handing off matters to someone else, or politely and respectfully acknowledging someone else's authority or judgment.

2. According to a movie review in Slate, it was "a little presumptuous" of the director Maggie Gyllenhaal to _____.

A. infuse a film based on an old story with modern social commentary
B. seem to correct the work of Mary Shelley, the famed mother of science fiction
C. include amusing references to Mel Brooks, Law & Order, and Bonnie and Clyde

Answers to the review questions: 1. C 2. B From the game: Lots of good answers are possible! Here are mine: What's a synonym for "to fill" that    1. ...implies that something fills up the whole space? "Pervade."    2. ...implies that something fills the space frequently, like a ghost? "Haunt."    3. ...implies that something fills the space with everything needed or required? "Furnish."

a final word:

I hope you're enjoying Make Your Point. It's made with love. I'm Liesl Johnson, a reading and writing tutor on a mission to explore, illuminate, and celebrate words. From my blog: On vocabulary...       36 ways to study words.       Why we forget words, & how to remember them.       How to use sophisticated words without being awkward. On writing...       How to improve any sentence.       How to motivate our kids to write.       How to stop procrastinating and start writing.       How to bulk up your writing when you have to meet a word count. From my heart: a profound thanks to the generous patrons, donors, and sponsors that make it possible for me to write these emails. If you'd like to be a patron or a donor, please click here. If you'd like to be a sponsor and include your ad in an issue, please contact me at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. A disclaimer: When I write definitions, I use plain language and stick to the words' common, useful applications. If you're interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words, I encourage you to check a dictionary. Also, because I'm American, I stick to American English when I share words' meanings, usage, and pronunciations; these elements sometimes vary across world Englishes.