Synonym Chooser

How is the word insinuate distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of insinuate are hint, imply, intimate, and suggest. While all these words mean "to convey an idea indirectly," insinuate applies to the conveying of a usually unpleasant idea in a sly underhanded manner.

insinuated that there were shady dealings

When is hint a more appropriate choice than insinuate?

The meanings of hint and insinuate largely overlap; however, hint implies the use of slight or remote suggestion with a minimum of overt statement.

hinted that she might get the job

How are the words imply and suggest related as synonyms of insinuate?

Imply is close to suggest but may indicate a more definite or logical relation of the unexpressed idea to the expressed.

measures implying that bankruptcy was imminent

When could intimate be used to replace insinuate?

While in some cases nearly identical to insinuate, intimate stresses delicacy of suggestion without connoting any lack of candor.

intimates that there is more to the situation than meets the eye

When can suggest be used instead of insinuate?

The words suggest and insinuate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, suggest may stress putting into the mind by association of ideas, awakening of a desire, or initiating a train of thought.

a film title that suggests its subject matter

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of insinuate Staying long after the funeral, the seemingly benign Jérémie begins to casually insinuate himself into his mentor’s family, including his kind-hearted widow (Catherine Frot) and venomously angry son (Jean-Baptiste Durand), while befriending an oddly cheerful local priest (Jacques Develay). Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 21 Mar. 2025 Those moments of naturalism work better than many of the shots taking place outside of the car, which often use glaringly heavy-handed lighting to insinuate who we’re supposed to see as good and evil. Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 21 Mar. 2025 But jealousy and arrogance get the best of Hamilton, who insinuates himself into the defense team, believing this action will help his political and financial setbacks. Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2025 Statements that insinuate that Cuomo was responsible for unnecessary nursing home deaths in New York are demonstrably false and are clearly being made simply for cynical political purposes. Paul Francis, New York Daily News, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for insinuate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insinuate
Verb
  • Setting Dani’s debut in motion: When an undercover FBI agent was killed in the field, Jubal’s team made the unnerving discovery that the identities of multiple UCs have been compromised — including Maggie, who had just infiltrated an increasingly skittish eco-terrorist group.
    Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Over the last few weeks, LeBron James‘ cultural influence reached another sphere outside of sports when his name and likeness infiltrated the music world.
    Regina Cho, VIBE.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • This implies a poor Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 64.7% (vs. 19.0% for S&P 500).
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Such methodology doesn’t necessarily align with the conventional approach for calculating tariffs and implies the U.S. would have looked at only the trade deficit in goods and ignored trade in services.
    Neelabh Chaturvedi, Asriel Chua, CNBC, 3 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Water enemas: For this treatment, your healthcare provider gently inserts water into your colon to soften and release hard or stuck stool.
    Cristina Mutchler, Health, 8 Apr. 2025
  • But inserting yourself, even with unspoken opinions, is going to lead to hard feelings.
    R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • How did Passover and Easter sneak up on us so fast?
    Gretta Monahan, Boston Herald, 6 Apr. 2025
  • But a better travel pillow does all that and sneaks an extra day’s worth of clothing onto the plane without catching a gate agent’s attention.
    Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 6 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • As of last May, filings with the state of Texas indicated that 78% of CFP Administration LLC’s ownership was held in equal 15.6% shares by the Big Ten, ACC, SEC, Big 12 and Pac-12.
    Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Which indicates that her tough-guy act is a front to conceal her own vulnerability.
    Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Rolex introduced a new collection, the Land-Dweller, and Piaget introduced a new ladies’ collection, the Sixtie.
    Carol Besler, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • It was introduced as part of Google’s Nov. 7, 2024, system update for Android 9 and later.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • All the while, Xavier skulks along the margins of the play, worming his way closer to the actress by insinuating himself into the production.
    Joumana Khatib, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
  • At the same time, Waltz tried to flip the script and blame Goldberg -- suggesting the editor could have somehow wormed his way in to the group chat.
    Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Meantime, hopes for a China- U.S. trade deal resurfaced after the American president suggested on Thursday that duties on Chinese imports may have peaked.
    Yue Wang, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Leff suggested using disinfectant wipes to sanitize flyers' seat areas, since with airflow and filtration will spread smells, sprays, or perfumes.
    Ashley J. DiMella Fox News, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Insinuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insinuate. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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