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infer

/ɪnˈfɜː/verb

To reach a conclusion by reasoning from evidence, rather than from a direct statement.

Example sentences

  • “From the wet streets, I inferred that it had rained overnight.”
  • “What can we infer about the author's opinion from the last paragraph?”

The listener or reader infers; the speaker implies. 'Infer' does not mean to hint.

Synonyms for infer

  • deduce
  • conclude
  • gather
  • work out

Often confused with infer

infer vs imply
imply (verb): To suggest that something is true without saying it directly.

On the Academic Word List. Find it in: Academic vocabulary.

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