deductive

adjective

de·duc·tive | \ di-ˈdək-tiv

, dē-\

Definition of deductive

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

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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

Puzzle-like tasks assessed their spatial, verbal and short-term memories, as well as their capacity for deductive reasoning, sustained attention, planning and clear expression. — Susan Pinker, WSJ, "When It Comes to Sleep, One Size Fits All," 25 Oct. 2018 While the confirmation that a nuclear explosion did take place is fairly certain, the Israeli-South African theory is more an exercise in deductive reasoning. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "Sheep Glands Point to Nukes as Source of Mysterious 1979 Explosion," 12 Sep. 2018 It is well known that Conan Doyle borrowed Bell’s deductive genius (and his profile) for his fictional detective, Sherlock Holmes. — The Economist, "When Arthur Conan Doyle cried “J’Accuse…!”," 7 July 2018 The discussion will be shaped around the hypothesis that the deductive process used to solve difficult riddles, problems, mysteries, or crimes is rendered possible only by altered states of consciousness, even borderline insanity. — Courant Community, "Community News For The Valley Edition," 3 Apr. 2018 But because these visual responses remain stable throughout development until adulthood, this type of deductive reasoning may be a primitive and essential facet of the human mind. — Diana Gitig, Ars Technica, "Although they can’t tell us about it, infants can reason," 19 Mar. 2018 Transcendentalists like Emerson were searching for unity in nature, but resisted what seemed to them the blinkered reliance on deductive reasoning and empirical research enforced by encroaching science. — Andrea Wulf, The Atlantic, "Walden Wasn’t Thoreau’s Masterpiece," 6 Oct. 2017 But if deductive reasoning is not enough to sway you, there's also the fact that a Republican is occasionally impolitic enough to admit the chicanery outright. — Author: Leonard Pitts, Alaska Dispatch News, "Bogus voter fraud campaign targets blacks," 23 July 2017 Via deductive reasoning, assume St. Augustine will give offenses fits. — Don Norcross, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Western League football preview," 15 Aug. 2017

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