Definition of inferencenext
as in deduction
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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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 inference The inference was that Jamie had planted a disparaging story about his older brother to hasten his exit. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026 Data centers draw measurable power, model training has a calculable carbon cost and inference requests can be metered. — Mikko Karkkainen, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026 Apple also updated the M6 with a Dual Neural Engine, doubling the core count from the traditional 16 to 32 for AI inference. — Joe Osborne, PC Magazine, 29 Sep. 2026 Among them is the Wellcome Leap Quantum for Bio (Q4Bio) program, where Infleqtion pioneered and demonstrated on hardware a quantum neural network approach with training on GPU and inference on QPU for biomarker discovery. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inference
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inference
Noun
  • Yes, clubs have fallen foul of slightly breaking Premier League rules in the past and have received points deductions as a result.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2026
  • City now faces severe sanctions that could include a huge points deduction or even expulsion from the league, causing heavy reputational damage to its Abu Dhabi ownership.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • And your job as a writer is to put some order onto those pieces, but not necessarily to draw some giant conclusion about them.
    — Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The league, however, did not publicly identify the standard used to reach that conclusion.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • But the investigation is ongoing, and no final determination has been made.
    — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Colfax Mayor Caroline McCully said the opening represents the culmination of years of work and determination by people who believed in the project and the community.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Inference.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inference. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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