Vocabulary in context
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Infer
To arrive at a conclusion through reasoning from given facts or evidence; to deduce.
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Imagine This
After the evidence arrived at the police station, the detectives made a conclusion and requested an arrest warrant.
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Sounds Like
in-FER
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Looks Like
The root 'fer' appears in many carry-related words such as 'transfer' or 'confer'; the word visually resembles related forms.
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Remember This
Infer comes from Latin inferre, meaning 'to bring in' (into) or 'to carry in' evidence to support a conclusion; the related root 'fer' means to carry.
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Other Forms
Inferencenoun
Inferentialadjective
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Connect With
deduce, conclude, reason, interpretation, hypothesis
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Note
Infer is an active cognitive process done by the listener/reader based on evidence; unlike 'imply' which is what a speaker suggests.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- From the footprints and muddy coat, we can infer that the suspect left the scene.
- Scholars inferred a correlation between the two variables after analyzing the data.
Synonyms
deduceconcludereasonsurmisegather
Antonyms
assertdeclareconfirm
Etymology
From Latin inferre, in- (into, onto) + ferre (to bear, carry); originally meaning 'to bring in' evidence to support a conclusion.
Mnemonic
IN-FER: Remember that infer means to bring in evidence to bear on a conclusion.
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Extraneous
adjectiveNot related to the matter at hand; not essential; irrelevant or unnecessary.
Experimentation
nounThe process of conducting tests and trials to discover or verify something; the systematic testing of hypotheses or ideas.
Peruse
verbTo read something carefully and thoroughly; to examine in detail.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Abandon
verbTo give up completely, to desert or leave behind, or to relinquish a claim, plan, or responsibility.
Abate
verbTo decrease in amount or intensity; to reduce or end something.
Abolish
verbTo formally end or repeal a system, practice, or institution; to officially put an end to something established.
Abridge
verbTo shorten (a text, speech, or other work) by omitting parts; to condense.
Abscond
verbTo depart secretly or flee, especially to avoid detection or arrest.
Absolve
verbTo free someone from blame or responsibility; to pardon or exonerate.
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