inferences

plural of inference
as in deductions
an opinion arrived at through a process of reasoning that seems like a reasonable inference, but in this case it happens to be incorrect

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 inferences Every industry needs people who can look at data, draw inferences from it, and act upon it. Dana Taylor, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026 Told in alternating POVs between a sorceress, a woman knight and a serving girl, this is a fever dream of a fantasy novel with plenty of room for readers to make their own inferences about what’s really going on. S.m. Hallow, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026 By holding an entire operational system in view in real time, an AI model can make inferences that human operators could easily miss. William Bain, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 However, rocket watchers have made a few inferences from the limited available information. Mike Wall, Space.com, 16 Aug. 2026 Wolf, with the Birmingham-Bloomfield Democrats, says he is not convinced the nation can draw inferences from what happens in Michigan. Sam Gringlas, NPR, 1 Aug. 2026 Because of the randomness of some of these things and complexities like deletions, many of the individual inferences about history will be wrong. ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026 This requires dealing with contradictory sources, making inferences, performing many web searches, and more, but neither model had any trouble with any of it. Ruben Circelli, PC Magazine, 16 June 2026 But my conclusions about these impacts rest on plausible inferences from what researchers know more generally about cognitive psychology. Christian B. Miller, The Conversation, 4 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inferences
Noun
  • Millionaires may contribute and then take deductions for charitable contributions.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • There were only 4 1⁄8 inches of differences (deductions) from one antler to the other, yielding the net score of 216 5⁄8.
    Richard P. Smith, Outdoor Life, 27 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The Arctic is also a world in flux, and van den Bemd is careful not to present personal observations as scientific conclusions.
    Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
  • With the college football regular season rapidly approaching, many position battles are starting to reach their logical conclusions.
    Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • That includes making initial determinations about compliance with the injunction, as Nexstar wants, or if those ruling should still be left to the judge, Troy Nunley, as the state AGs and DirecTV want.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 21 Aug. 2026
  • These determinations are based on a thorough review of the evidence that is gathered by law enforcement and presented to us at the conclusion of their investigation.
    Todd Feurer, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Strong El Niño events, such as the one revving up in the tropical Pacific, have rarely spared the Golden State from significant and damaging consequences.
    Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
  • As the consequences of this strategically catastrophic campaign become ever more apparent, the New Right’s clout is set to grow, having opposed the war from the start.
    Leonard A. Schuette, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Unrivaled remains governed by a 10-player committee, who advise on decisions such as travel and expansion.
    Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Some might wonder why the commission has not already opened an investigation, given the seemingly ample amount of evidence that FIFA does not consult before making big decisions, but Masters took a more diplomatic stance.
    Matt Slater, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • These outsiders, like executives or academics from different fields, offer crucial external perspectives, unburdened by internal assumptions or politics.
    Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The company says that mission demonstrated that data center-grade computing hardware could operate in orbit, where conventional assumptions about cooling, radiation and power management no longer apply.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 23 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Inferences.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inferences. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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