implication

implication, inference are often interchangeable, but they may be distinguished when they specifically refer to something that is hinted at but not explicitly stated.

Implication applies to what is hinted, whether the writer or speaker is aware of it or not or whether the reader or hearer recognizes it or not

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speak of their own language with at least an implication of disparagement— Sampson

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When, however, the reader or hearer recognizes what is implied and gathers from it its full significance or makes an explicit statement of it, he has drawn or made an inference

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he said no more, waiting for someone to draw the desired inference from this utterance— Wister

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{

you misunderstood the implications of his speech, so that your inferences misrepresent his point of view

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{

by implication you are arguing that this is the only possible solution

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{

by inference from what you leave unsaid, I know you believe this the only possible solution

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{

he did not perceive the implications of his remark

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{

the inferences to be drawn from his remark are inescapable

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Analogous words: hinting or hint, suggestion, intimation (see corresponding verbs at SUGGEST): insinuation, innuendo