posit
Put forward tentatively
To posit something is to put it forward as a basis for argument or reasoning—to assume or propose it as true for the sake of discussion: Let's posit that the economy continues growing at this rate.
The word carries a formal, intellectual tone, common in academic and philosophical contexts.
Scientists posit hypotheses; philosophers posit premises.
A posit is the thing proposed, though the noun form is rare.
Propose a tentative explanation
- proposePut forth formally
- suggestOffer an idea indirectly
- theorizeForm explanatory suppositions
- assumeAccept as true
presume · conjecture · speculate · put forward · advance · submit · contend · maintain
Foundation for logical argument
- assumptionUnverified belief accepted as true
- axiomSelf-evident starting principle
- presuppositionImplicit prior assumption
- stipulationCondition in an agreement
given · starting point · foundation · basis · supposition · thought experiment · ontology · epistemology
Testable proposed explanation
- conjectureGuess from limited facts
- theoremDemonstrated logical conclusion
- premiseFoundation for logical argument
- inferenceConclusion reached through reasoning
paradigm · falsifiability · model · framework · abstraction · principle · speculation · supposition
hypothesize
Propose a tentative explanation
assume · presume · conjecture · speculate · put forward · advance · submit · contend · maintain · affirm
premise
Foundation for logical argument
- assumptionUnverified belief accepted as true
- axiomSelf-evident starting principle
- presuppositionImplicit prior assumption
stipulation · given · starting point · foundation · basis · supposition · thought experiment · ontology · epistemology · metaphysics
hypothesis
Testable proposed explanation
- conjectureGuess from limited facts
- theoremDemonstrated logical conclusion
- premiseFoundation for logical argument
inference · paradigm · falsifiability · model · framework · abstraction · principle · speculation · supposition
locate
Discover the position of
place · station · site · establish · fix · arrange · dispose
- assertionsassertions, asserting, assert, statements, stating
- proposesuggest, offer, submit, recommend, put forward
- Suggestinghint, imply, indicate, suggest, allude
positquestion
Request for information
doubt · challenge · dispute · query · interrogate
positprove
Establish as fact
demonstrate · verify · establish · confirm · substantiate
- stay positiveMaintain a hopeful mindset
- be positiveMaintain hopeful attitude
- think positiveMaintain hopeful mental attitude
- fetal positionCurled, knees drawn up
- in positionCorrectly situated, prepared
- positive thinkingHopeful mental outlook
position, positive, posture, suppose, pose, oppose, expose, impose, deposit