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
  • People with alpha-gal syndrome may experience allergic reactions after consuming mammalian meat or other products derived from mammals, including certain dairy products.
    — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The plant makes renewable glycols, ingredients used to produce polyester that are usually derived from fossil fuels.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of derive
Verb
  • But California Institute of Technology neuroscientist Ian Anderson, who studies social media habits, says automatic behaviors can also just indicate an ingrained habit.
    — Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Pastries containing squash for which there is a poster indicating a shelf life of two days under refrigeration, were for sale and at room temperature without time-mark indicators to be discarded.
    — NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of indicate
Verb
  • But the really impactful part is understanding the function and developing it into a tool.
    — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The committee isn’t fully aware of the muddy bog in which Taverner is currently sinking, but Lamb is starting to understand the shape of it.
    — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of understand
Verb
  • Truist hiked its Meta Platforms price target to $1,000 from $763, implying almost 35% upside from yesterday's close.
    — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026
  • It was implied that the residency would draw upon multiple bonds that the band has built with the venue, the city, and the surrounding Bay Area fanbase over the years.
    — Benjy Eisen, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of imply
Verb
  • Bruni said the pope's doctors would decide if there were any changes expected to his discharge date.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Where the thresholds sit, which harms count, who audits what – that’s for legislators, lawyers, technologists and ethicists to decide.
    — Giorgos Tsetis, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of decide
Verb
  • Data from the Israel Defense Forces as of May 2025 suggested a Palestinian civilian death rate of 83%.
    — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
  • O’Rourke and double bassist Johan Berthling shape a steady drone, while Ishibashi’s piano runs suggest time-lapse footage of ice crystals forming, ordinary little bits cohering into objects of wonder.
    — Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of suggest
Verb
  • Any report that hints about slumping demand or higher-than-expected costs of building out AI infrastructure has frequently sent stocks on a rollercoaster ride.
    — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The filmmaker was hinting heavily at what might be in store for the festival’s surprise screening Wednesday evening at the Institut Lumière.
    — Lise Pedersen, Variety, 14 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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