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.
The structure of her show also gives her a deductive spotlight scene (or three) in every episode. Joe Reid, Vulture, 24 May 2025 The paper is part of a broad reevaluation of the relationship between Western and Indigenous modes of science — with science defined as systems that use observation, experimentation and deductive reasoning and peer review to develop working theories of how the universe operates. Saul Elbein, The Hill, 16 May 2025 There are logic puzzles and perspective puzzles, games of deductive reasoning and careful planning, physics toys and narrative knots. Joshua Rivera, Vulture, 6 May 2025 One of his most significant contributions was introducing new mathematical tools to model and incorporate a priori data—which relies on deductive reasoning to make predictions—to address signal recovery challenges. IEEE Spectrum, 3 Oct. 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

Cite this Entry

“Deductive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deductive. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

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