Synonym Chooser

How is the word infer distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of infer are conclude, deduce, gather, and judge. While all these words mean "to arrive at a mental conclusion," 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

Where would conclude be a reasonable alternative to infer?

In some situations, the words conclude and infer are roughly equivalent. However, conclude implies arriving at a necessary inference at the end of a chain of reasoning.

concluded that only the accused could be guilty

How are the words deduce and infer related?

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

When is gather a more appropriate choice than infer?

While the synonyms gather and infer are close in meaning, gather suggests an intuitive forming of a conclusion from implications.

gathered their desire to be alone without a word

In what contexts can judge take the place of infer?

The synonyms judge and infer are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 infer In great part this is because the internal turmoil that we are led to believe the central characters harbor don’t always inform the interpersonal confessions of which audiences can infer on their own. Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 27 Aug. 2025 His real talent seemed to be inferring some of the more mundane details of my life. Webb Wright, Scientific American, 18 Aug. 2025 These stripes interfere with the light emanating from the sample in ways that allow scientists to infer additional detail about the image. Katarina Zimmer, JSTOR Daily, 14 Aug. 2025 Now Facebook’s parent company Meta is aiming for the next best thing—a new wristband that can, with the help of AI, infer electrical commands sent from the brain to muscles and convert them into computer signals, all in a noninvasive way. IEEE Spectrum, 13 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for infer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infer
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
  • Containment indicates what percentage of the fire perimeter has been surrounded by a control line.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Similarly, some studies indicate heat can boost flexibility and range of motion during stretching.
    Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 4 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
  • That implies an attractive 40% upside from current levels.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Leerink's price target of $77 implies shares could surge 119% from Monday's close.
    Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 9 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
  • Mock suggests using gentle cleaning tools to avoid scratching the flooring.
    Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2025
  • TikTok commenters suggest sealing the finished piece with UV resin to prevent cracks over time, especially if the mirror will be exposed to sunlight.
    Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Also, with age comes experience, Gellar adds, hinting that her acting is better than ever.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Looking at Elliott’s post-2024 drives, six-month outcomes have generally been favorable—hinting PEP could see a similar pattern.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Infer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infer. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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