Conclusion: meaning, definitions and examples

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conclusion

 

[kənˈkluːʒən ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

final decision

A conclusion is the final decision or judgment reached after considering all the facts and evidence. It is the end result or outcome of a process or discussion.

Synonyms

decision, decision, judgment.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
conclusion

Use 'conclusion' to describe the end or summary of an argument, essay, or experiment.

  • In conclusion, regular exercise leads to improved mental health.
  • The scientist reached a conclusion after analyzing the data.
decision

Use 'decision' to describe the act of making a choice or coming to a resolution after consideration.

  • She made a decision to move to a new city.
  • The company's decision to expand its operations was well-received.
judgment

Use 'judgment' to describe an opinion or conclusion made after careful thought. It can also refer to a formal ruling in a legal context. This word can sometimes have a negative connotation when implying criticism.

  • In her judgment, the movie was not worth watching.
  • The judge's judgment on the case was final.

Examples of usage

  • The jury reached a conclusion after reviewing all the evidence presented in court.
  • In her research paper, she drew a conclusion based on her findings and analysis.
Context #2 | Noun

summary

A conclusion can also refer to a summary or closing remarks at the end of a speech, essay, or presentation. It is a brief recap of the main points or arguments.

Synonyms

ending, recap, summary.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
conclusion

Used to describe the final part of something, summarizing the main points or coming to a final decision. Often used in essays, speeches, or scientific reports.

  • In conclusion, the study shows a clear link between exercise and improved mental health.
  • After considering all the options, we reached the conclusion that the project should be delayed.
summary

Used to provide a concise presentation of the main points or essential features of something, like a report, article, book, or lecture.

  • The summary of the article highlights the key findings and their implications.
  • I usually read the summary of a book before deciding whether to read the whole thing.
ending

Refers to the final part of a story, event, or period of time. Often used in the context of books, movies, or any narrative form.

  • The movie had a surprising ending that no one expected.
  • The ending of the book was very emotional and left a deep impression on me.
recap

Used to briefly summarize the main points of something that has been said or done, often used informally in conversations, meetings, or TV series.

  • Let me give you a quick recap of what we discussed in the meeting.
  • In the next episode, we'll start with a recap of the previous season.

Examples of usage

  • In conclusion, I would like to summarize the key points discussed in this presentation.
  • The conclusion of the book provided a concise summary of the protagonist's journey.
Context #3 | Noun

logical deduction

In logic, a conclusion is a proposition that follows logically from the premises of an argument. It is the inference or deduction drawn from the given information.

Synonyms

deduction, inference, result.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
conclusion

This word is used to indicate the final part of something, especially the end of an argument, report, or presentation. It often implies a decision or judgment made after consideration.

  • After reviewing all the evidence, the detective came to the conclusion that the suspect was innocent.
  • In conclusion, we should focus our efforts on renewable energy sources to combat climate change.
deduction

Deduction is used mainly in logical or mathematical reasoning. It refers to the process of deriving conclusions from general principles or known facts. It can also refer to subtracting an amount from a total.

  • By making logical deductions from the axioms, she was able to prove the theorem.
  • After all the deductions were made, his paycheck was significantly smaller.
inference

Inference is used to describe a conclusion reached based on evidence and reasoning, often where not everything is explicitly stated. It involves reading between the lines and drawing conclusions from indirect evidence.

  • Her inference from his body language was that he was not interested in the conversation.
  • The scientist made an inference based on the data collected from the experiment.
result

Result is used to indicate the outcome or consequence of an action, event, or process. It is often used in scientific, mathematical, or daily life contexts to denote what happens at the end of a process.

  • The result of the test was positive, indicating that the patient had the infection.
  • Hard work and perseverance are key factors that influence the result of any endeavor.

Examples of usage

  • Based on the evidence presented, we can draw the conclusion that the suspect is guilty.
  • The conclusion of the syllogism follows logically from the premises.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'conclusio', meaning 'a shutting together'.
  • In the Middle Ages, the term was used in discussions to summarize arguments before reaching a decision.
  • Many languages have similar roots; for instance, 'conclusión' in Spanish.

Logic and Philosophy

  • In logic, a conclusion follows from premises, representing the final part of an argument.
  • Philosophers like Aristotle studied conclusions in syllogisms to form valid arguments.
  • Conclusions are fundamental in scientific experiments, summarizing the results and implications.

Literature

  • In storytelling, a conclusion ties up plots and provides resolution for characters.
  • Authors often use a 'twist' in the conclusion to surprise readers and add depth to the story.
  • Classical literature often features poignant conclusions that provoke thought and discussion.

Education

  • Teachers encourage students to write conclusions to summarize what they've learned.
  • Effective conclusions in essays help reinforce the main points and leave a lasting impression.
  • Educational debates often end with a conclusion that encapsulates the core arguments presented.

Cognitive Psychology

  • Human brains tend to remember the last part of a sequence better, a phenomenon known as the 'recency effect'.
  • Making conclusions requires synthesis of information, a higher-order thinking skill essential for learning.
  • Conclusions help clarify thoughts and are crucial in decision-making processes.

Translations

Translations of the word "conclusion" in other languages:

🇵🇹 conclusão

🇮🇳 निष्कर्ष

🇩🇪 Schlussfolgerung

🇮🇩 kesimpulan

🇺🇦 висновок

🇵🇱 wniosek

🇯🇵 結論 (けつろん)

🇫🇷 conclusion

🇪🇸 conclusión

🇹🇷 sonuç

🇰🇷 결론 (gyeollon)

🇸🇦 استنتاج (istintaj)

🇨🇿 závěr

🇸🇰 záver

🇨🇳 结论 (jiélùn)

🇸🇮 zaključek

🇮🇸 niðurstaða

🇰🇿 қорытынды

🇬🇪 დასკვნა

🇦🇿 nəticə

🇲🇽 conclusión

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #1,312, this word is part of core intermediate vocabulary. It appears regularly in various contexts and is essential for natural-sounding English.