inferences

noun

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 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 With this data, scientists can draw inferences about consciousness. — Emma Gometz, Scientific American, 15 May 2026 Most of the inferences in that profile were wrong. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inferences
  1. deductions
  2. conclusions
  3. determinations
  4. consequences
  5. decisions
  6. assumptions
Noun
  • Citing its investigation, the watchdog said 48 percent of the promotions were actually price increases, 40 percent were not real price deductions, and seven percent had a lower discount than advertised.
    — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • On the flip side, doing the wrong thing meant point deductions.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of deductions
Noun
  • Grant, regrettably, was ranked 36th and last for his work on 10 snaps, though that’s too small a sample size to make any conclusions whatsoever.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 16 Aug. 2026
  • These conclusions are based on Bitsight's technical research.
    — Jesse Watson , Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of conclusions
Noun
  • The official causes of death remain pending determinations by the medical examiner.
    — Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • However, that may change as governors’ teams shift from collecting information to making final determinations.
    — Marie Sapirie, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of determinations
Noun
  • Chanana said any breakdown in the relationship could herald broader portfolio consequences.
    — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
  • For Abrams, a free agent after the 2028 season, the position change comes with financial consequences.
    — Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of consequences
Noun
  • Two Jets front-office sources, on condition of anonymity because they’re not authorized to speak publicly, deny that, and Glenn has owned the decisions publicly.
    — Jonathan Jones, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The working-out of that vision, by way of experience that arises from her sudden change of circumstances, is the movie’s emotional and intellectual heart, its main line, abstract in form but altogether concrete in the decisions that result.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of decisions
Noun
  • Her boredom was sharpened by the discovery that most of her initial assumptions were wrong.
    — Madhuri Vijay, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Preconceptions, assumptions, and advance knowledge in the viewing public are regarded as impediments to the capacity of the tale to surprise, startle, or transport.
    — Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of assumptions

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Cite this Entry

“Inferences.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inferences. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of inferences for Spanish Speakers

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