insinuate

verb

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in·sin·u·ate | \ in-ˈsin-yə-ˌwāt

, -yü-ˌāt \

insinuated; insinuating

Definition of insinuate

transitive verb

1a : to impart or suggest in an artful or indirect way : imply I resent what you're insinuating.

b : to introduce (something, such as an idea) gradually or in a subtle, indirect, or covert way insinuate doubts into a trusting mind

2 : to introduce (someone, such as oneself) by stealthy, smooth, or artful means

intransitive verb

1 archaic : to enter gently, slowly, or imperceptibly : creep

2 archaic : to ingratiate oneself

Other Words from insinuate Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym When to Use Insinuate More Example Sentences Learn More about insinuate

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Choose the Right Synonym for insinuate

introduce, insert, insinuate, interpolate, intercalate, interpose, interject mean to put between or among others. introduce is a general term for bringing or placing a thing or person into a group or body already in existence. introduced a new topic into the conversation insert implies putting into a fixed or open space between or among. inserted a clause in the contract insinuate implies introducing gradually or by gentle pressure. insinuated himself into the group interpolate applies to the inserting of something extraneous or spurious. interpolated her own comments into the report intercalate suggests an intrusive inserting of something in an existing series or sequence. new chapters intercalated with the old interpose suggests inserting an obstruction or cause of delay. interpose barriers to communication interject implies an abrupt or forced introduction. interjected a question

suggest, imply, hint, intimate, insinuate 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 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 hint implies the use of slight or remote suggestion with a minimum of overt statement. hinted that she might get the job intimate stresses delicacy of suggestion without connoting any lack of candor. intimates that there is more to the situation than meets the eye insinuate applies to the conveying of a usually unpleasant idea in a sly underhanded manner. insinuated that there were shady dealings

When to Use Insinuate

The meaning of insinuate is similar to that of another verb, suggest. Whether you suggest or insinuate something, you are conveying an idea indirectly. But although these two words share the same basic meaning, each gets the idea across in a different way. When you suggest something, you put it into the mind by associating it with other ideas, desires, or thoughts. You might say, for example, that a book's title suggests what the story is about. The word insinuate, on the other hand, usually includes a sense that the idea being conveyed is unpleasant, or that it is being passed along in a sly or underhanded way ("She insinuated that I cheated").

Examples of insinuate in a Sentence

years were needed for the agent to insinuate himself into the terrorist organization are you insinuating that I won by cheating?

Recent Examples on the Web Scott had previously insinuated that his primary hesitation was whether Florida taxpayers would have to foot the bill for the excess. — Natasha Frost, Quartz, "A decade ago, the US was promised high-speed rail—so where is it?," 27 Dec. 2019 The host also took issue with some media members who insinuated that Iowa voters were racist. — Fox News, "Tucker Carlson blasts Democrats, media for turning on Iowans after caucus fiasco," 5 Feb. 2020 The last straw came in 1639, when his wife, Grietje Reyniers, was accused of insinuating that the wife of the colony’s religious leader had herself solicited prostitution. — Jennifer Schuessler, New York Times, "Brooklyn’s Muslim Presence Goes Back Centuries. Here’s Proof From 1643.," 3 Dec. 2019 In it, Eliot essentially declares Romanticism dead to rights, insinuating that modernism (without employing that label) is the new king. — Kevin Dettmar, The New Yorker, "A Hundred Years of T. S. Eliot’s “Tradition and the Individual Talent”," 27 Oct. 2019 At one point, a public exchange of words saw GM insinuating the UAW was moving too slowly in negotiations and not responding to company proposals. — Jamie L. Lareau, Detroit Free Press, "UAW workers will ratify contract with GM. Here's what's next," 25 Oct. 2019 Some clickbait-y blind items have circulated on the Internet insinuating that their relationship is fake. — Jada Yuan, Washington Post, "Rosario Dawson is so much more than just Cory Booker’s ‘actress girlfriend’," 17 Oct. 2019 This issue brought about many mentions of Penn State Football's sordid and condemned past — insinuating PSU fans have much bigger issues to be concerned about than unjustly targeting a current player for his appearance. — Erin Nicole Celletti, Teen Vogue, "A Penn State Alumnus Wrote a Racist Letter to Football Player Jonathan Sutherland About His Dreadlocks," 9 Oct. 2019 At the center of the band’s sound is Navran’s subtle, insinuating (often multi-tracked) vocals, which have become more expressive with each release. — BostonGlobe.com, "Moonchild brings its ever-evolving neo-soul sound to Boston - The Boston Globe," 8 Oct. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'insinuate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.