SYNONYMS AND RELATED EXPRESSIONS
inference
noun
A conclusion reached from evidence or reasoning rather than stated directly.
Local English device voice, when available. This is not a recorded dictionary pronunciation.
Reasoned conclusion
Closest synonyms
Related words and expressions
These extend or explain the idea and may require a different sentence structure.
Usage distinction
Return to topAn inference is drawn from evidence or premises; its strength depends on the reasoning and evidence available.
CHECK THE MEANING IN CONTEXT
See inference in use
Her inference about the ending came from several clues in the opening scene.
Back at the newsroom, the journalist's analysis compared the message times, entrance log, and two witnesses' accounts. She marked one inference carefully: because the driver asked for entry, he probably did not have a working access code.
Compare an alternative with the original word in each passage. Shared meanings do not make every pair interchangeable.
Synonym reference scope and sources
The groups distinguish the senses selected for this study entry. Closest synonyms and broader related expressions have separate labels. The listed sources support lexical selection; not every phrase is a direct quotation from a source.
How the synonym reference was prepared / WordNet 3.0 license