deductive

adjective

de·​duc·​tive di-ˈdək-tiv How to pronounce deductive (audio)
dē-
1
: of, relating to, or provable by deriving conclusions by reasoning : of, relating to, or provable by deduction (see deduction sense 2a)
deductive principles
2
: employing deduction in reasoning
conclusions based on deductive logic
deductively adverb

Examples of deductive in a Sentence

a conclusion based on deductive reasoning using deductive reasoning we must conclude that since everyone eventually dies, sooner or later it's going to be our turn
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Image: Capcom Completing Logic games is exceedingly easy, demanding none of the deductive puzzle-solving skills that make Ace Attorney games so enjoyable. Ash Parrish, The Verge, 14 Sep. 2024 The team then ask the model to refine the idea using chain-of-thought reasoning and self-reflection, two mechanisms that have recently helped to improve the output of large language models using deductive reasoning. The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 13 Sep. 2024 People with dyscalculia often struggle with transitive inference—a form of deductive reasoning used to derive a relation between items. Jaimie Seaton, Scientific American, 29 Mar. 2024 In doing so, the AI gives the deductive algorithm new information to work with. Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 17 Jan. 2024 See all Example Sentences for deductive 

Word History

Etymology

see deduct

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of deductive was in 1646

Dictionary Entries Near deductive

Cite this Entry

“Deductive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deductive. Accessed 8 Dec. 2024.

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