imply, infer

Imply refers to the meaning strongly hinted at by a speaker or writer, and thus means suggest.

• The mayor implied by her choice of words that a successful bid for the Olympic Games would result in fiscal hardship for the city.
• The lawyer’s letter implied that the police were at fault in their handling of the investigation.

Infer refers to the meaning understood by the receiver of a message and thus means deduce.

• After hearing the mayor’s statement, the reporters inferred that a successful bid for the Olympic Games would result in fiscal hardship for the city.
• From the data collected on Great Lakes fish, scientists have inferred that something is amiss.