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
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Recent Examples of inferences
Still, the inferences seem plenty reasonable.
—
Cass Sunstein, Big Think, 5 Mar. 2026
In the same disclaimer, TechInsights notes that its inferences and conclusions are not final regulatory decisions.
—Jared Perlo, NBC news, 27 Feb. 2026
Kids ages 5-12 can handle replica artifacts, such as an abacus, armor and lyre, and learn how professional archeologists make inferences.
—Jennifer Day, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026
Social media platforms can verify age by either requesting copies of identification documents, using a third party to apply age estimation technology to an account holder’s face, or making inferences from data already available, such as how long an account has been active.
—Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Under California law, fraud must be pled with particularity, meaning there must be specifics and details in the complaint; generalizations, inferences and supposition don’t cut it.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Our work also helps explain how people make what psychologists call compensatory inferences.
—Jaclyn L. Tanenbaum, Fortune, 6 Jan. 2026
This approach relies on information that is not available from the text alone, rather than on inferences drawn from the text itself.
—Ambuj Tewari, The Conversation, 18 Dec. 2025
These models are unknowable—black boxes with anthropomorphic traits, but that are ultimately a series of complex calculations and statistical inferences based on mind-boggling sums of training data; much of that information was taken without express permission from its creators.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 30 Nov. 2025
Cass Sunstein, Big Think, 5 Mar. 2026
In the same disclaimer, TechInsights notes that its inferences and conclusions are not final regulatory decisions.
—Jared Perlo, NBC news, 27 Feb. 2026
Kids ages 5-12 can handle replica artifacts, such as an abacus, armor and lyre, and learn how professional archeologists make inferences.
—Jennifer Day, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026
Social media platforms can verify age by either requesting copies of identification documents, using a third party to apply age estimation technology to an account holder’s face, or making inferences from data already available, such as how long an account has been active.
—Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Under California law, fraud must be pled with particularity, meaning there must be specifics and details in the complaint; generalizations, inferences and supposition don’t cut it.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Our work also helps explain how people make what psychologists call compensatory inferences.
—Jaclyn L. Tanenbaum, Fortune, 6 Jan. 2026
This approach relies on information that is not available from the text alone, rather than on inferences drawn from the text itself.
—Ambuj Tewari, The Conversation, 18 Dec. 2025
These models are unknowable—black boxes with anthropomorphic traits, but that are ultimately a series of complex calculations and statistical inferences based on mind-boggling sums of training data; much of that information was taken without express permission from its creators.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 30 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inferences
Noun
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These include permanently larger standard deductions, no federal tax on tips or overtime pay, no taxes on car loan interest, and higher credits and deductions for children, the IRS said.—
Hali Smith
March 4,
Idaho Statesman,
4 Mar. 2026
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Some investors intentionally sell appreciated gold for a profit during years when their income is lower, such as after retirement, during a career transition or during a year with significant deductions.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The conclusions about their sentiments come from a University of North Florida poll that asked voters about a range of issues.—
Anthony Man,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Mar. 2026
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These companies refuse to disclose what data their models are trained one or how their systems reach conclusions.—
Parmy Olson,
Mercury News,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Federal immigration law removes federal district courts from reviewing immigration determinations and limits the scope of what federal appeals courts may review after an immigration case has made its way through immigration courts.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Fifty-six companies appeared to rely on undisclosed GRAS safety determinations for 275 chemicals, the investigation found.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The consequences stemming from the death of a Brazilian butt lift patient came down Thursday on a Doral plastic surgery center that’s now on state probation.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
9 Mar. 2026
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Days after trading center Garrett Bradbury to Chicago for a fifth-round pick — a solid piece of business with Bradbury entering a contract year but also immediate consequences — the Pats have a hole in their offensive line.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Too often, advisory bodies provide feedback after decisions have already been made rather than helping shape them from the beginning.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
11 Mar. 2026
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But the quality of the data that underpins many sourcing decisions could use a glow-up.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The discovery challenges popular assumptions about how new species are found.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
5 Mar. 2026
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Leaders of the Upper Basin states also are raising objections, saying the Interior Department’s current options rely on flawed assumptions, fail to impose large enough cuts on the Lower Basin and go beyond the federal government’s authority.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inferences.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inferences. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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