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
Relevance
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 deduce
Superman's foil comes in Hoult's Lex Luthor, a man proudly consumed by envy, who, as Lois deduces, wants to be king (who said comic book allegory needed to be subtle?).
—
Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 8 July 2025
Wallace quickly deduces that Ryan’s room is too clean — oxygen bleach must have been used, which suggests someone with forensics knowledge.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 11 July 2025
Scientists can deduce historic oxygen levels by analyzing ancient rocks (like Banded Iron Formations) because their chemical composition depend on the amount of oxygen available when they were formed.
—David Bressan, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
If the cat is beside a cake with candles, computer vision may deduce that the cat is celebrating its birthday.
—Michael Jaszczyk, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for deduce
Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 8 July 2025
Wallace quickly deduces that Ryan’s room is too clean — oxygen bleach must have been used, which suggests someone with forensics knowledge.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 11 July 2025
Scientists can deduce historic oxygen levels by analyzing ancient rocks (like Banded Iron Formations) because their chemical composition depend on the amount of oxygen available when they were formed.
—David Bressan, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
If the cat is beside a cake with candles, computer vision may deduce that the cat is celebrating its birthday.
—Michael Jaszczyk, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for deduce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deduce
Verb
-
Once a cult product known for its use in aiding hair growth through scalp massage, castor oil — a natural oil derived from castor seeds — is now sweeping the beauty-sphere with its many uses and purported benefits.—
Tanya Akim,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
-
Rhus tox, also known as Rhus toxicodendron, is a homeopathic remedy derived from the poison oak plant, traditionally used for joint and muscle pain and relieving or preventing poison oak or poison ivy rash.—
Anna Giorgi,
Verywell Health,
29 July 2025
Verb
-
His attorneys have argued that Brown appears not to be competent for trial and cannot factually understand the capital murder case against him.—
Quinlan Bentley,
The Enquirer,
30 July 2025
-
His office looks at the business' activities to understand what will take place on site.—
Matthew Glowicki,
The Courier-Journal,
30 July 2025
Verb
-
The Padres will play just three more games—against the NL East-leading Mets, no less—before A.J. Preller decides exactly what strings to pull before Thursday.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 July 2025
-
The 193-member U.N. General Assembly decided in September last year that such a conference would be held in 2025.—
Michelle Nichols,
USA Today,
28 July 2025
Verb
-
More exotic data collection techniques may be able to help infer the underground effects based on particle and electromagnetic emissions from the site.—
Joshua Rovner,
The Conversation,
2 July 2025
-
In cases where the arrest location wasn’t directly available, the state was inferred from the ICE field office involved.—
Diana Leyva,
The Tennessean,
3 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deduce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deduce. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share