i Register
In some senses, infer is marked as obsolete. Watch for register when choosing this word.
infer
/ɪnˈfɜː/
verb 4
Collocations
7(verb.)
ADV
reasonably
VERB + INFER
can/could | be possible to
be difficult to, be hard to
It was hard to infer what she meant from just that brief email.
be reasonable to | be wrong to
PREP
from
We inferred from her silence that she disagreed with the decision.
Definitions
verb
1
To introduce (something) as a reasoned conclusion; to conclude by reasoning or deduction, as from premises or evidence.
It is dangerous to infer too much from martial bluster in British politics: at the first hint of trouble, channelling Churchill is a default tactic for beleaguered leaders of all sorts.
2
To lead to (something) as a consequence; to imply.
a. 1535, Thomas More, letter to Fryth the fyrste parte is not the proofe of the second. but rather contrarywyse the seconde inferreth well yͤ fyrst.
This doth infer the zeal I had to see him.
3
To cause, inflict (something) upon or to someone.
faire Serena[…]fled fast away, afeard / Of villany to be to her inferd[…].
4
To introduce (a subject) in speaking, writing etc.; to bring in, to adduce.
Full well hath Clifford played the orator, / Inferring arguments of mighty force.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
verb — believe to be the case
verb — guess correctly
verb — conclude by reasoning
verb — draw from specific cases for more general cases
- generalize
- generalise
- extrapolate
Antonyms
Idioms & Phrases
Example Bank
601
It is dangerous to infer too much from martial bluster in British politics: at the first hint of trouble, channelling Churchill is a default tactic for beleaguered leaders of all sorts.
Wiktionary02
a. 1535, Thomas More, letter to Fryth the fyrste parte is not the proofe of the second. but rather contrarywyse the seconde inferreth well yͤ fyrst.
Wiktionary03
This doth infer the zeal I had to see him.
Wiktionary04
What do you infer from her strange behavior?
Tatoeba · #30907105
Since the Earth and the Moon formed together, we can use our findings from the Moon to infer what happened on the early Earth.
Tatoeba · #841003906
Telescopes are not yet powerful enough to see planets orbiting distant stars, so astronomers must infer their presence.
Tatoeba · #11226781Usage Notes
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