nondeductive.

Not claiming that its reasons logically guarantee its conclusion.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• nondeductive reasoning
• a nondeductive argument

On the page

The forecast rests on nondeductive reasoning, so even strong evidence leaves room for error.

Usage notes

Primary category: analysis / argumentation / evidence. Forms: normally non-gradable; no ordinary comparative or superlative. Writing functions: reasoning, qualification, evidence. Commonness: uncommon outside argument analysis. No unsupported claim that such arguments are irrational.