implication

A possible effect of an action or decision, especially one that matters later.

• We discussed the financial implications.
• The new rule has serious implications for schools.
• Have you considered the implications of leaving early?

How to use it: implication for someone/something (The decision has important implications for local businesses.)

Similar words: consequence, effect, ramification

Common phrases: serious implication, financial implication, implication for something

An idea that someone’s words suggest without saying it directly.

• The implication was clear.
• He denied any implication that she had lied.
• Her silence carried an implication of disapproval.

How to use it: implication that… (I disliked the implication that I was lazy.); by implication (She blamed the team and, by implication, its leader.)

Similar words: suggestion, insinuation

Common phrases: clear implication, implication of something, by implication

The suggestion or discovery that someone took part in something wrong or illegal.

• He denied his implication in the fraud.
• Her alleged implication in the crime remains unproven.
• The investigation revealed his implication in several illegal deals.

How to use it: someone’s implication in something (The minister’s implication in the scandal shocked voters.)

Similar words: involvement

Common phrases: implication in something, alleged implication

A link in logic expressing that if one statement is true, another is true.

• This symbol represents implication.
• The implication is false when its first statement is true and its second is false.
• We built a truth table for material implication.

Similar words: material conditional

Common phrases: material implication, logical implication, implication operator