deduce

as in to derive
to form an opinion or reach a conclusion through reasoning and information I can deduce from the simple observation of your behavior that you're trying to hide something from me

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word deduce distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of deduce are conclude, gather, infer, and judge. While all these words mean "to arrive at a mental conclusion," 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

Where would conclude be a reasonable alternative to deduce?

The words conclude and deduce can be used in similar contexts, but conclude implies arriving at a necessary inference at the end of a chain of reasoning.

concluded that only the accused could be guilty

When can gather be used instead of deduce?

The words gather and deduce are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, gather suggests an intuitive forming of a conclusion from implications.

gathered their desire to be alone without a word

When could infer be used to replace deduce?

While the synonyms infer and deduce are close in meaning, 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

When is judge a more appropriate choice than deduce?

While in some cases nearly identical to deduce, judge stresses a weighing of the evidence on which a conclusion is based.

judge people by their actions

Examples 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 deduce In the 2000s, federal agents deduced that the company was a mere front for a complex money laundering scheme. Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 18 Nov. 2024 Due to this structure and composition, the authors of the new paper deduced that the stones were likely used as spindle whorls. Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 13 Nov. 2024 New Eden is not the only thing that will fall if Nima’s forces take Big Alice, but the world itself will fall — remember, Melanie deduced that the Gemini compound will literally burn the atmosphere and deplete all oxygen from the planet. Rafael Motamayor, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2024 Rio immediately identifies this to be Agatha’s trial, deducing that her worst nightmare — apart from having to embody this preppy ’80s aesthetic — would be facing up to any of the many deaths she’s caused over the centuries. Caroline Framke, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for deduce 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deduce
Verb
  • The Single Estate Series reflects Mount Gay’s focus on terroir, with the use of molasses derived exclusively from the estate’s sugar cane.
    Rachel King, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024
  • Seeing the actual act of ejaculation on-screen magnifies the euphoria of this moment and how much joy can be derived from prioritizing and pleasuring yourself as well as others.
    David Opie, IndieWire, 7 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Further clinical trials are needed to better understand and assess the potential mechanisms at work.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 7 Dec. 2024
  • Testing can help officials understand which farms and cows are infected, and how the virus is moving between them, said Matthew Moore, an assistant professor in the department of food science at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
    Dani Blum, New York Times, 7 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Following Wrinkles, Indiana took a 15-year hiatus from executions until Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb decided this year to resume them.
    Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024
  • In these roles, PBMs decide what pharmacists and pharmacies are paid to dispense prescription medications.
    Bruce Japsen, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The Clovis people were known to brandish an array of pointy stone tools that archaeologists have inferred to be hunting weapons.
    Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Dec. 2024
  • The presence of tools associated with fishing at the camp, as well as the canine bones nearby heavily infers human interaction between the humans and canines.
    Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 4 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near deduce

Cite this Entry

“Deduce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deduce. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

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