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 The scene is uncomfortable and oddly brief; unusually for an actor-director, Dickinson doesn’t go in for showy scenes and leaves a lot to be inferred. Damon Wise, Deadline, 17 May 2025 The devices infer from this location data the sag across the span to which they are attached. Erik Kobayashi-Solomon, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025 Until such tests are completed, investigators won’t be able to infer the source of the explosion based only on the size of the blast crater. Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025 Thermal asymmetry in the Moon's mantle inferred from monthly tidal response. Ian Randall, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for infer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infer
Verb
  • However, the original equation was derived from predominantly mammalian data.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 June 2025
  • Of that amount, $1.2 billion was derived from membership fees alone—accounting for nearly half of the operating profit, and primarily recurring.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • The yacht is suited to both inshore and offshore jaunts, with preliminary testing indicating impressive velocity, balance, and control in all conditions.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 23 June 2025
  • The high court had unanimously indicated in a prior case that potential deportees must be given due process protections.
    Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • The mission’s detailed investigation of Europa will help scientists better understand the astrobiological potential for habitable worlds beyond our planet.
    Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 June 2025
  • Agnes understands that the world is not about good and evil and virtue and sin.
    Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • Billionaire hedge-fund manager Bill Ackman offered to bankroll someone, anyone, who would run against Mamdani, implying his mayoralty would spur a flight with the ultrarich.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 27 June 2025
  • An old friend of Donna’s who, it’s implied, became more than friends after her husband left.
    Whitney Friedlander, Vulture, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Always, along the chain of hectic audience gossip, there was one person who decided to nip in the bud the talk about a too iconoclastic Beckett, and the relay to the estate was stopped; someone—more than one someone—who decided that Matthew and his crazy dreams were worth shielding.
    Han Ong, New Yorker, 22 June 2025
  • After a fun evening at the amusement park, the family decided to set Cade free.
    Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 22 June 2025
Verb
  • For external cleaning of your kitchen sink, Sandifer suggests using a disinfectant spray with a degreaser and a microfiber cloth to run over the faucet, handles, and surface area.
    Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 22 June 2025
  • Which suggests to me that Magic, who is now part of the Dodgers’ ownership group, learned quite well from Dr. Buss.
    Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 22 June 2025
Verb
  • General manager Marc Eversley hinted after Wednesday’s first round that the Bulls were considering a trade down in the second round — and that the roster is expected to undergo further change before the season.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2025
  • Executive producer Coogler has hinted the show will also tee up some themes from Avengers: Doomsday.
    Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 24 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Infer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infer. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on infer

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