propound

verb

pro·​pound prə-ˈpau̇nd How to pronounce propound (audio)
propounded; propounding; propounds

transitive verb

: to offer for discussion or consideration
propounder noun

Examples of propound in a Sentence

Her new book expands upon the theory propounded in her first book. let us propound the question whether mercy killing should ever be an option
Recent Examples on the Web Goldwasser was less inclined than other faculty to propound the excellence of W.V.U.’s graduate math programs. Oliver Whang, The New Yorker, 28 Nov. 2023 As lovely as hair looks when worn down with a witch hat and as timeless as a low, knotted bun à la Margaret Hamilton may be, Hudgens propounds another option: low, braided pigtails. Marci Robin, Allure, 13 Oct. 2023 Today, many scholars dismiss the imperialist, racist logics propounded by the founders of modern international relations theory as merely reflecting the prejudices of an unenlightened era: sins not egregious enough to diminish the value of the sinners’ good works. Zachariah Mampilly, Foreign Affairs, 6 Sep. 2022 One of the baser conspiratorial elements of the theory is that the globe-earth lie is propounded so that people will believe their lives are meaningless. Justin E. H. Smith, Harper's Magazine, 21 Aug. 2022 This image of a world ravaged by crusades is also Sorokin’s way of satirizing the philosophy of neo-Eurasianism as propounded by the far-right thinker Aleksandr Dugin. Jennifer Wilson, Harper's Magazine, 11 May 2022 Blowback to the post-Trump majority’s provocations, on and off the court, has spooked even the right-wing justices themselves, enough to propound public defenses of their bona fides as stewards of an independent judiciary. Simon Lazarus, The New Republic, 27 Sep. 2022 Gewen has every right to propound that view in his own books and essays. Jim Sleeper, The New Republic, 13 Aug. 2020 The minority view, propounded by Dr. Hoyle and subscribed to in part by the Burbidges, is known as steady-state theory. Margalit Fox, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'propound.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

alteration of earlier propone, from Middle English (Scots) proponen, from Latin proponere to display, propound, from pro- before + ponere to put, place — more at pro-, position

First Known Use

circa 1531, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of propound was circa 1531

Dictionary Entries Near propound

Cite this Entry

“Propound.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/propound. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

propound

verb
pro·​pound prə-ˈpau̇nd How to pronounce propound (audio)
propounder noun

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