deductive

adjective

de·​duc·​tive di-ˈdək-tiv 

dē-

1

: of, relating to, or provable by deriving conclusions by reasoning : of, relating to, or provable by deduction (see deduction sense 2a)

deductive principles

2

: employing deduction in reasoning

conclusions based on deductive logic

deductively adverb

Synonyms

• a priori
• deducible
• derivable
• inferable
• inferrible
• inferential
• reasoned

Examples of deductive in a Sentence

a conclusion based on deductive reasoning

using deductive reasoning we must conclude that since everyone eventually dies, sooner or later it's going to be our turn

Recent Examples on the Web

Image: Capcom Completing Logic games is exceedingly easy, demanding none of the deductive puzzle-solving skills that make Ace Attorney games so enjoyable. —Ash Parrish, The Verge, 14 Sep. 2024

The team then ask the model to refine the idea using chain-of-thought reasoning and self-reflection, two mechanisms that have recently helped to improve the output of large language models using deductive reasoning. —The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 13 Sep. 2024

People with dyscalculia often struggle with transitive inference—a form of deductive reasoning used to derive a relation between items. —Jaimie Seaton, Scientific American, 29 Mar. 2024

In doing so, the AI gives the deductive algorithm new information to work with. —Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 17 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see deduct

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing deductive

• hypothetico-deductive