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 Swift superfans have deduced that Kelce is eating one of the pop star’s iconic homemade Pop-Tarts. Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 15 Aug. 2025 This allows Demerzel to see the vision of the Mule and Gaal fighting and deduce that this takes place in the Imperial Library on Trantor. Rafael Motamayor, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2025 From this, the team deduces that the new planet, if fully confirmed, is similar to Saturn or Jupiter in size and is in the habitable zone of the star, where its surface temperature is estimated as 225 K (-48 °C or -55 °F). David Szondy august 14, New Atlas, 14 Aug. 2025 When the New Heights podcast, which is co-hosted by Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, announced Monday that a special guest would be appearing in a new episode, Swift’s fans deduced things quickly. Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deduce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deduce
Verb
  • This number, an accepted consensus derived from World Bank and Asian Development Bank data, includes roughly 700 million from China, and 400 million from Southeast Asia.
    Rich Karlgaard, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Blood sugar, also known as blood glucose, is the primary fuel for the body, derived from food and released into the bloodstream.
    Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • These measurements are fundamental to understanding how greenhouse gas emissions relate to rising temperatures, simultaneously contributing to scientific research and informing policymakers of compliance with environmental regulations.
    Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 6 Sep. 2025
  • If the marathons of New York and London showcase splendour and establishment and magnificence and size and place, then the Great North Run offers something else; to complete it, to witness it, is to understand its pull.
    George Caulkin, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Clinton has decided to join a direct rival even though City will not be competing in the Champions League this season.
    Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Related Stories When Ema disappears and tragedy is covered up, Daniel faces betrayal and decides to seek revenge before leaving.
    Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The ability to look at a less-than-perfect image and infer what’s happening on the ground is a skill honed through experience, not algorithms.
    Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
  • To infer causality or intent within those actions is even more difficult, if not impossible, when so many other factors are at play beyond Paqueta’s control.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Deduce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deduce. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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