conclude

To decide that something is true after thinking about it or looking at evidence.

• I conclude that you are right.
• The researchers concluded that the treatment was effective.
• What can we conclude from these results?

How to use it: conclude that… (We concluded that the roof needed repairs.); conclude from something that… (She concluded from his smile that he was pleased.)

Similar words: decide, infer, deduce

Common phrases: conclude that something, conclude from something, reasonably conclude

If an event or activity does this, it reaches its end.

• The meeting concluded at five.
• Her speech concluded with a question.
• The festival will conclude on Sunday.

How to use it: conclude with something (The concert concluded with a familiar song.)

Similar words: end, finish, close

Opposites: begin, start

Common phrases: conclude with something, conclude at noon, conclude on time

If you do this to an activity, you finish it.

• The chair concluded the meeting.
• She concluded her report with three recommendations.
• They hope to conclude negotiations this week.

How to use it: conclude something with something (She concluded her presentation with a joke.); conclude by doing something (He concluded by thanking the audience.)

Similar words: end, finish, close

Opposites: begin, start

Common phrases: conclude a meeting, conclude a speech, conclude by saying

To legally prevent someone from denying something or making a claim.

• His admission concluded him from denying the debt.
• The court held that her plea concluded her.
• The judgment concluded the parties from raising that claim again.

How to use it: be concluded by something (The defendant was concluded by his earlier admission.)

Similar words: bar, estop

Common phrases: conclude a defendant, conclude someone legally