deductive

/dɪˈdʌktəv/

Other forms: deductively

Deductive thinking is based on logic and the facts. A good detective can use deductive reasoning to find a killer.

If you want to know how to be deductive, read a Sherlock Holmes book or watch the show "House" (about a clever doctor who is based on Holmes). Both Holmes and House are masters of looking at the facts — which are often confusing — and making deductive conclusions. Thinking deductively involves critical thinking and careful attention to detail, not guessing or making things up. That's why being deductive is one of the best ways to crack a case.

Definitions of deductive

1. adjective

   relating to logical deduction
   “deductive reasoning”
2. adjective

   involving inferences from general principles
   synonyms:

   analytic, analytical

   of a proposition that is necessarily true independent of fact or experience

   a priori

   involving deductive reasoning from a general principle to a necessary effect; not supported by fact

   deducible

   capable of being deduced

   illative

   expressing or preceding an inference

   illative, inferential

   resembling or dependent on or arrived at by inference

   inferential

   of reasoning; proceeding from general premisses to a necessary and specific conclusion

   antonyms:

   inductive

   of reasoning; proceeding from particular facts to a general conclusion

   synthetic, synthetical

   of a proposition whose truth value is determined by observation or facts

   a posteriori

   involving reasoning from facts or particulars to general principles or from effects to causes