as in deductions
an opinion arrived at through a process of reasoning
that seems like a reasonable inference, but in this case it happens to be incorrect
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Recent Examples of inferences
The problem is that such inferences are often wildly speculative and will almost certainly lead to false convictions or arrests.
—
Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026
In the video, which circulated Tuesday on social media, Dye used voices that made inferences about Malukas’ sexuality.
—Jenna Fryer, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Still, the inferences seem plenty reasonable.
—Cass Sunstein, Big Think, 5 Mar. 2026
In the same disclaimer, TechInsights notes that its inferences and conclusions are not final regulatory decisions.
—Jared Perlo, NBC news, 27 Feb. 2026
Social media platforms can verify age by either requesting copies of identification documents, using a third party to apply age estimation technology to an account holder’s face, or making inferences from data already available, such as how long an account has been active.
—Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Under California law, fraud must be pled with particularity, meaning there must be specifics and details in the complaint; generalizations, inferences and supposition don’t cut it.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Our work also helps explain how people make what psychologists call compensatory inferences.
—Jaclyn L. Tanenbaum, Fortune, 6 Jan. 2026
This approach relies on information that is not available from the text alone, rather than on inferences drawn from the text itself.
—Ambuj Tewari, The Conversation, 18 Dec. 2025
Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026
In the video, which circulated Tuesday on social media, Dye used voices that made inferences about Malukas’ sexuality.
—Jenna Fryer, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Still, the inferences seem plenty reasonable.
—Cass Sunstein, Big Think, 5 Mar. 2026
In the same disclaimer, TechInsights notes that its inferences and conclusions are not final regulatory decisions.
—Jared Perlo, NBC news, 27 Feb. 2026
Social media platforms can verify age by either requesting copies of identification documents, using a third party to apply age estimation technology to an account holder’s face, or making inferences from data already available, such as how long an account has been active.
—Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Under California law, fraud must be pled with particularity, meaning there must be specifics and details in the complaint; generalizations, inferences and supposition don’t cut it.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Our work also helps explain how people make what psychologists call compensatory inferences.
—Jaclyn L. Tanenbaum, Fortune, 6 Jan. 2026
This approach relies on information that is not available from the text alone, rather than on inferences drawn from the text itself.
—Ambuj Tewari, The Conversation, 18 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inferences
Noun
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The bill also would raise the standard deductions from $24,000 to $30,000 for Georgians filing joint returns.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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However, starting in January 2026, employee paycheck withholdings should reflect the tips and overtime deductions, which means workers will see the benefit each pay period rather than via a lump sum next tax season.—
Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,
CNBC,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In discussions with others, caution against leaping to conclusions.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
5 Apr. 2026
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Another great example of this in action is KPMG’s new early career program focused on human qualities such as critical thinking, data analysis, and drawing conclusions rather than technical know-how.—
Teuila Hanson,
Fortune,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The failure to routinely consider parental gun practices, including gun storage and children’s access, in custody determinations is notable – not just because unsecured guns pose a significant danger to children, but because other less substantial risks regularly factor into custody decisions.—
Marcia Zug,
The Conversation,
2 Apr. 2026
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Those determinations complete the World Cup’s 48-team draw, as well as the full schedule, as North America for the first time serves as host.—
Michael McGough,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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As Kansas City considers big changes to its rules for developers seeking tax breaks, local affordable housing advocates want officials to pump the brakes and think more about the consequences of such a shift.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
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Millions of Americans enrolled in Medicare Advantage are approaching a critical deadline that could have long-lasting financial consequences.—
Amanda Greenwood,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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By the time he gets called, families can be at war over decisions about dad’s house, mom’s assets or grandma’s healthcare.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
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Their intensity and compression of timescale require curatorial decisions to be shaped by different tempos of attention.—
Manuela Moscoso,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Physically frail, yet in full verbal command, Julian doesn’t talk to Lori so much as at her, pausing only to fire off questions that harden, in midair, into assumptions.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
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Those assumptions are shaped by training data drawn predominantly from English-language sources based in the United States.—
Gareth Barkin,
The Conversation,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inferences.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inferences. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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