The best replacement for inference is observation.

The best alternatives to inference are rated as following:
★★★★★  observation
★★★★  prediction
★★★  conclusion
★★★  fact
★★  assumption
★  implication
★  deduction
★  drawing conclusions
★  hypothesis
★  observation worksheet
  deductive reasoning
  observation worksheets
  description
  observation quiz
  conjecture
  evidence
  interpretation
  facts
  presumption
  entailment
  assumptions
  infer

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Speaking about inference, one probably shouldn't forget about observation.

Other search terms related to inference and their ratings are:
★★★★★ observation
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Google Trends

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inference
observation
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