infer

verb

in-ˈfər How to pronounce infer (audio)
Definition of infernext
1
as in to derive
to form an opinion or reach a conclusion through reasoning and information he inferred that she had left because her coat was gone

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in to indicate
to convey an idea indirectly the results infer that there might be a problem with one piece of the equipment

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Our findings raise the prospect of a new form of algorithmic profiling, in which AI systems do not simply infer sensitive characteristics from appearance but also construct and propagate visual stereotypes associated with them. — Ashique Khudabukhsh, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026 Under the framework, officials infer a violation when someone remains in the country after an order of removal or voluntary departure, the judge wrote. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026 The physicists used that data to reconstruct the angles at which electrons and muons were emitted to infer the spins of the original Z bosons that preceded them. — ArsTechnica, 2 Oct. 2026 The Police Department was asking the public to help investigators find Yepez, and police said no determination of criminal responsibility should be inferred. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for infer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infer
  1. derive
  2. indicate
  3. understand
  4. imply
  5. decide
  6. suggest
  7. hint
Verb
  • The twist here is that the action is derived from two different points in history, switching back and forth between eras and ultimately melding the two.
    — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The guarantee derived from a calculation by Hoover’s engineering deputy, Arthur Powell Davis, that so much water flowed down the river that there would always be enough to meet every state’s needs.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of derive
Verb
  • Neither side has indicated when the temporary truce would end.
    — Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Individual containers of food were not marked to indicate the food items to be discarded under time as public health control.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of indicate
Verb
  • Weiss-Wolf’s advice emphasizes understanding your options and advocating for better health care, while recognizing that disclosing symptoms or requesting an accommodation can carry risks.
    — Jo Ann Liguori, Flow Space, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Reynolds understood how to sell the new pen, too, with advertisements promising an avant-garde writing utensil, capable of enduring long stretches of writing with no need to replenish the ink.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of understand
Verb
  • The lawsuit is different from previous legal action against the president -- first, in that the plaintiffs are ordinary citizens, shifting the focus from news gatherers to news consumers, and thus implying a much larger pool of stakeholders.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Trouvé seems drawn to anything that implies a semblance of order and finding ways of shattering it along the way.
    — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of imply
Verb
  • Trials in four other cases in which Sorrells’ predecessor, Sharen Wilson, decided to seek the death penalty, have occurred during Sorrells term.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The next auto race will be decided by which country can excel at both.
    — Rick Lazio, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of decide
Verb
  • Sanders, one of the left’s leading critics of the AI industry, went a step beyond profit-sharing by suggesting this summer that its companies surrender half of their stock to the government.
    — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Totally suggests the pensive headspace of an adult returning to his childhood haunts trying to make sense of it all.
    — Harry Thorfinn-George, Pitchfork, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of suggest
Verb
  • Cooley, meanwhile, hinted that even smiling or chatting with teammates can take him out of that preferred mindset.
    — Jesse Granger, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Newer work hints that the brain may even make some of its own supply.
    — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of hint

Browse Nearby Words

infelicity
infer
inferable
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Infer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infer. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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