1
as in to indicate
to convey an idea indirectly this letter suggests that there's more going on than she's telling us

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to recommend
to put (something) forward as one's choice for a wise or proper course of action I suggested that they talk to a therapist about their marital problems

Synonyms & Similar Words

3

Synonym Chooser

How is the word suggest distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of suggest are hint, imply, insinuate, and intimate. While all these words mean "to convey an idea indirectly," 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

In what contexts can hint take the place of suggest?

The meanings of hint and suggest 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 do imply and suggest relate to one another?

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

Where would insinuate be a reasonable alternative to suggest?

While in some cases nearly identical to suggest, insinuate applies to the conveying of a usually unpleasant idea in a sly underhanded manner.

insinuated that there were shady dealings

When might intimate be a better fit than suggest?

In some situations, the words intimate and suggest are roughly equivalent. However, intimate stresses delicacy of suggestion without connoting any lack of candor.

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

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 suggest The Olympics’ men’s football tournament is rarely noteworthy, but Nigeria’s triumph in 1996, followed by Cameroon’s four years later, suggested African nations were set to become a serious force. Michael Cox, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025 Though detailed polling on the electoral impact of the deal is pending, previous surveys repeatedly suggest 60 to 70% of Israelis support it. Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025 Next time nature calls, some doctors suggest ditching the smartphone or tablet. Adrianna Rodriguez, USA Today, 11 Oct. 2025 The character previously appeared in season 1 of the series, which suggested that Gein inspired Jeffrey Dahmer. Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for suggest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suggest
Verb
  • Other bacteria are associated with the breakdown of insect tissues, indicating these were also a part of his diet.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2025
  • But reports indicate the state could help cover maintenance costs or facilitate a sale.
    Jordan Blum, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Hanke recommends allowing the peso to float for around 60 days, enabling market forces to determine its actual worth in terms of dollars.
    Shawn Tully, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Instead, varicella, commonly known as chickenpox, is recommended as a standalone shot.
    Reuters, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Shane Harris, the president and founder of the People’s Association of Justice Advocates, first proposed the renaming in 2022, weeks after Morrow’s death.
    Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Oct. 2025
  • The authors noted that cutting emergency Medicaid, as proposed in the 2025 Budget Reconciliation law, would save little and would harm states with large populations of undocumented immigrants.
    Liz Neporent, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The most significant jump in imports into Italy was from China, up 18 percent in the period, implying that many fast fashion players are gaining Italians over.
    Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2025
  • After praising the male LGBTQIA+ members of their friendship circle, Consuelos then implied a wilder theory about the heterosexual female friends in Ripa's life.
    Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • McGawley adds, advising that the least successful way to pass along money and assets is to wait until children reach an age milepost such as 30 and then hand over a substantial income without any scaffolding.
    Christina Binkley, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Malcolm is understandably furious (and his uncle has only recently advised him that revenge is the best way to mend a broken heart).
    Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Hidalgo-Monroy Wohlgemuth discusses the impact of Fair Trade and organic agriculture on rural development in Chiapas, Mexico, emphasizing social empowerment, particularly for women, and the challenges posed by neoliberal policies such as the North American Free Trade Agreement.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Even 6 inches of moving water can pose a serious risk of knocking you off your feet.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • But aside from hinting that there might be more gigs in the future, the reliably inscrutable singer did not fall for the bait of follow-up questions and left it at that.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 9 Oct. 2025
  • The executive hinted that the collaboration with Arsham, who marked his appointment as Hublot ambassador by carving a large-scale sundial in ice, could continue to evolve further.
    Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The museum offers school field trip opportunities for all ages and Johnson tells me that field trip scholarships are available for schools through funding from the Tyson Family Foundation.
    Carin Schoppmeyer, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Advertisement The breakthrough in recent days offers a chance to reassert America's ability to shape events beyond its borders.
    Eric Cortellessa, Time, 11 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Suggest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suggest. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025.

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