deduce

as in to derive
to form an opinion or reach a conclusion through reasoning and information I can deduce from the simple observation of your behavior that you're trying to hide something from me

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word deduce distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of deduce are conclude, gather, infer, and judge. While all these words mean "to arrive at a mental conclusion," deduce often adds to infer the special implication of drawing a particular inference from a generalization.

denied we could deduce anything important from human mortality

Where would conclude be a reasonable alternative to deduce?

The words conclude and deduce can be used in similar contexts, but conclude implies arriving at a necessary inference at the end of a chain of reasoning.

concluded that only the accused could be guilty

When can gather be used instead of deduce?

The words gather and deduce are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, gather suggests an intuitive forming of a conclusion from implications.

gathered their desire to be alone without a word

When could infer be used to replace deduce?

While the synonyms infer and deduce are close in meaning, infer implies arriving at a conclusion by reasoning from evidence; if the evidence is slight, the term comes close to surmise.

from that remark, I inferred that they knew each other

When is judge a more appropriate choice than deduce?

While in some cases nearly identical to deduce, judge stresses a weighing of the evidence on which a conclusion is based.

judge people by their actions

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of deduce Again, Two Spears deduces the facts — that the priest must have killed the girl’s father before the girl killed the priest in self-defense. Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 Apr. 2025 Tennis players are deduced, disadvantaged, deserved, and defaulted. Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025 Alienware’s simulations deduced that this was the most effective way to move cool air into the system and push hot air out as quickly as possible—even more efficient than including a rear outward-facing exhaust fan. PC Magazine, 12 Apr. 2025 Again, Two Spears deduces the facts — that the priest must have killed the girl’s father before the girl killed the priest in self-defense. Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deduce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deduce
Verb
  • Intended for both slim and puffy outerwear, the new material prevents the conglomeration of fibers and pushes the sustainability envelope further as it is entirely crafted from recycled fibers derived from post-consumer PET bottles.
    Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 16 May 2025
  • Those terms derive from academic critical theory, with its emphasis on appropriation and indoctrination.
    Armond White, National Review, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • The realtor also pulled permits to help determine a timeline of events to understand when some of the damage occurred.
    Meredith Wilshere, People.com, 19 May 2025
  • To understand what’s at stake amid the NNSA’s workforce woes, USA TODAY interviewed current and former agency officials and reviewed decades of watchdog reports, safety records and other official documents.
    Davis Winkie, USA Today, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • The Court found that the IRS was correct in its decision to revoke tax-exempt status, but the case was not decided until 1983.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
  • For now, he’s decided attending university is the best path, but opted to spend his first year of school in Rome to deepen his spirituality.
    Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • So don’t tell me there are only eight teams better than Miami, as Spoelstra inferred.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2025
  • Range contraction of the Yangtze finless porpoise inferred from classic Chinese poems A graduate of UW-Whitewater, Monica Cull wrote for several organizations, including one that focused on bees and the natural world, before coming to Discover Magazine.
    Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 5 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Deduce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deduce. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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