inferential
Drawn from evidence
Inferential describes something derived from inference rather than direct observation or explicit statement.
Inferential reasoning draws conclusions from evidence: The case against him was purely inferential—no one saw him do it.
Inferential statistics uses sample data to make predictions about larger populations.
The word emphasizes that conclusions require a logical leap, however small.
Implied sense, not dictionary
- insinuationIndirect, usually negative suggestion
- allusionIndirect reference to something
- hintIndirect suggestion
- intimationIndirect indication of something
subtext · innuendo · undertone · nuance · implicit · veiled · unspoken · tacit
Drawing logical conclusions
- deductionConclusion from premises
- inductionFormal admission process
- conclusionEnd or deduction
- premiseFoundation for logical argument
logic · argumentation · syllogism · analysis · judgment · cognition · abstraction · extrapolation
Indirect suggestion or consequence
- suggestionIdea proposed for consideration
- circumstantialBased on inference, not proof
- presumptionBelief held without proof
- assumptionUnverified belief accepted as true
conjecture · surmise · speculation · supposition · anecdotal · correlation · indication · guesswork
connotation
Implied sense, not dictionary
- insinuationIndirect, usually negative suggestion
- allusionIndirect reference to something
- hintIndirect suggestion
intimation · subtext · innuendo · undertone · nuance · implicit · veiled · unspoken · tacit · implied
reasoning
Drawing logical conclusions
- deductionConclusion from premises
- inductionFormal admission process
- conclusionEnd or deduction
premise · logic · argumentation · syllogism · analysis · judgment · cognition · abstraction · extrapolation · interpretation
implication
Indirect suggestion or consequence
- suggestionIdea proposed for consideration
- circumstantialBased on inference, not proof
- presumptionBelief held without proof
assumption · conjecture · surmise · speculation · supposition · anecdotal · correlation · indication · guesswork · approximation
- reasoningreasoning, reason, logic, deductive, analysis
- logical thinkinglogical, rational, analytical, deductive, syllogistic
- evidentialshearsay, firsthand, secondhand, direct evidence, indirect evidence
- verb moodsindicative, subjunctive, imperative, conditional, potential
inferentialintuitive
Known without reasoning
instinctive · perceptual · empirical · observational · experiential
inferentialcategorical
Unconditional and explicit
categoric · absolute · definite · unconditional · certain
infer, inferred, inference, inferring, infers, inferable, inferences