as in inferable
being or provable by reasoning in which the conclusion follows necessarily from given information
using deductive reasoning we must conclude that since everyone eventually dies, sooner or later it's going to be our turn
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Recent Examples of deductive
Teach the difference between deductive, inductive and abductive thinking and the proper use of all three.
—
Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
This marble run nurtures engineering skills and promotes deductive reasoning, logical thinking and problem-solving.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2025
No surprise that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle would look to Poe and his detective C. Auguste Dupin when creating the equally deductive Holmes.
—Betsy Golden Kellem, JSTOR Daily, 30 July 2025
The structure of her show also gives her a deductive spotlight scene (or three) in every episode.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for deductive
Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
This marble run nurtures engineering skills and promotes deductive reasoning, logical thinking and problem-solving.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2025
No surprise that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle would look to Poe and his detective C. Auguste Dupin when creating the equally deductive Holmes.
—Betsy Golden Kellem, JSTOR Daily, 30 July 2025
The structure of her show also gives her a deductive spotlight scene (or three) in every episode.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for deductive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deductive
Adjective
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That would be demonstrated if general relativity is derivable from quantum gravity.—
Amanda Gefter,
Quanta Magazine,
25 Sep. 2024
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And to little purpose, there being agreement among most faiths on the important morals, generally derivable from the golden rule.—
Letters To The Editor,
The Mercury News,
16 Aug. 2024
Adjective
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Your view into your characters’ thinking is, for the reader, mostly inferential.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Jan. 2026
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Instead, space- and ground-based telescopes use one of two inferential methods.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
1 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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None are credible challengers; Matt Conroy is the more reasoned and moderate of the three.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
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This is a time for cool, calm and reasoned debate, and for legislators to think through the consequences of legislation put forth.—
Bobby Zirkin,
Baltimore Sun,
15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Work with that element of chance because learning to enjoy embracing—working with it—is fun and fun isn’t logical, and logic isn’t always your ally in that initial stage of creation.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
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Claiming early—at 62—to generate income to service debt might seem logical but typically costs significantly more over the long run than delaying to 70 and paying down debt from other sources in the interim.—
Jason Kirsch,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deductive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deductive. Accessed 27 May. 2026.
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