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 Their findings led them to infer hydrogen is absorbing the X-ray photons in the far-off host galaxy. Nola Taylor Tillman, Space.com, 10 Feb. 2025 Instead, astronomers infer the presence of a planet, either by measuring the slight dimming of the star when the smaller body passes in front of it or the slight wobble the planet's gravity causes in the star. Jeffrey Kluger/greenbelt, TIME, 8 Feb. 2025 Probing this critical transition using a systems biology approach, the team created a system to infer a model of the genetic network that controls cancer development, and then uses this to find a molecular switch that can reverse the process. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025 The ability to infer the mental states of others is often referred to as theory of mind. Jack Tamisiea, Scientific American, 3 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for infer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infer
Verb
  • With a nod to Indigenous science, Sweat says principles of holistic and ancient Ayurvedic medicine, which originated in India and is also practiced in many Latin American countries, will be utilized in teaching, including the use of products mainly derived from plants.
    Stephanie Stephens, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Cannabis, derived from the Cannabis sativa plant, is used both recreationally and medicinally.
    Tribune Content Agency, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • McFarland claimed 2,000 tickets were available for the festival, but shared permits indicated that only space for 250 people had been obtained.
    Greta Cross, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Recent sediment core samples indicate that the glacier began retreating in the 1940s, possibly linked to recurring El Niño patterns.
    Monica Sanders, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Long train trips were designed for those who understand the old adage of appreciating the journey, not just the destination.
    Ellen Carpenter, AFAR Media, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Trump administration takes aim at climate change The Trump administration is continuing to pursue its pledge to prioritize American energy independence and scale back the federal government's plans to understand and prevent climate change.
    Doyle Rice, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • That same year, István Hegedűs, a former politician who had served in parliament alongside Orbán, read an article in a pro-Fidesz newspaper which implied that only the Party’s generosity enabled C.E.U. to stay in Budapest.
    Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
  • These stories imply that this person did this remarkable thing, so anyone else can do it, too.
    Dmitry Malin, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Rudd agrees and, delighted by the experience, returns the favor for Samberg, who decides to don only a T-shirt for his portrait.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The courts have issued several orders that the Trump administration has ignored, and the courts must decide what to do about it.
    Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Several economic indicators suggest a potential recession, including declining stock prices and weakening consumer sentiment.
    Russ Wiles, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Studies suggest that earplugs help improve sleep quality by blocking distracting, disruptive, or annoying noise around you.
    Laura Schober, Health, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • That doesn’t qualify as a significant move, but the Steelers also spent the weekend hinting strongly that free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers will be signing with the team, which would cross Pittsburgh off the Cousins list.
    Josh Kendall, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
  • Musk has hinted that his involvement with DOGE would be temporary, but would his exit from the public sector be enough of a reprieve for the company's falling stock?
    Charles Singh, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Infer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infer. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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