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 Psychopathy—characterized by impulsivity, deceitfulness, and lack of empathy—was the most accurately inferred of the three traits. Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025 Different molecules absorb light in different ways, and by analysing these absorption patterns – called spectra – scientists infer what chemicals are likely to be present. Oliver Swainston, Space.com, 28 June 2025 Learning to infer In traditional approaches, those disappearances are hard to cope with, even when using methods that already incorporate machine learning. Matt Von Hippel, ArsTechnica, 23 June 2025 To be fair, fellow-Sikhs also infer devotion and discipline, although these are neither the only readings nor the most common. Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 21 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for infer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infer
Verb
  • All of these inputs to the model simulations are primarily derived from observational data.
    Ben Santer, Scientific American, 4 July 2025
  • While much of the popularity of the program is derived from its ability to inspire online debate, even the showrunners have noticed an uptick in the nastiness of the commentary.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 3 July 2025
Verb
  • All signs indicate that the theme of this summer is staying in, and the wine bar trend taking over TikTok right now confirms it.
    Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 July 2025
  • While the door-kicking challenge has existed for years, multiple agencies have issued recent warnings, indicating a possible uptick in the trend this summer.
    Audrey Conklin, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2025
Verb
  • To better understand the missing middle, Paulsen was part of a research team that examined rock samples from the Polar Rock Depository at The Ohio State University’s Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center.
    Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 5 July 2025
  • Some things are beyond the capacity of a child to understand, while others resonate most profoundly out of the mouths of babes.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 5 July 2025
Verb
  • In other words, the agency implied that two provisions of the budget bill reduce taxes for seniors, when in fact there’s only one.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2025
  • Later, it’s implied that the actual kidnapper was Manon, who has the same tattoo.
    Isabella Wandermurem, Time, 9 July 2025
Verb
  • Every candidate has already been vetted for safety; A.I. can identify low-hanging fruit, and then humans can decide whether the pairing is ripe for picking.
    Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 15 July 2025
  • Believers may decide to refrain from voting or choose a third party because, in their view, neither majority candidate is acceptable.
    Esau McCaulley, The Atlantic, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • Research suggests that some supplements, including magnesium, vitamin D, and coenzyme Q10, and others, may help decrease the frequency or severity of migraine attack symptoms.
    Kirstyn Hill, Health, 15 July 2025
  • The research suggests that to consume or to dream of consuming creates illusions of belonging to a different social class.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • The Trump administration has since hinted that some trading partners might get more time for talks.
    Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Twin Cities, 7 July 2025
  • Musk's recent support of Massie hints that the raging feud between the two is not over.
    Jolene Almendarez, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Infer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infer. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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