SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

insinuating

adjective in·sin·u·at·ing \ in-ˈsin-yə-ˌwā-tiŋ , -yü-ˌā- \

Definition of insinuating

1 :winning favor and confidence by imperceptible degrees :ingratiating

2 :tending gradually to cause doubt, distrust, or change of outlook often in a slyly subtle manner

insinuating remarks

—

insinuatingly

adverb

Examples of insinuating in a Sentence

the fortune hunter's insinuating attentions were having their intended effect on the naive heiress

First Known Use of insinuating

1591

insinuating Synonyms

Synonyms

disarming, endearing, ingratiating, winning, winsome

Antonyms

unendearing, uningratiating

Related Words

adorable, charming, likable (or likeable), lovable (also loveable); affecting, poignant, touching; adulatory, deferential, effusive, flattering, fulsome, groveling (or grovelling), kowtowing, obsequious, servile, sycophantic; drooling, oleaginous, slavering, slobbering; saccharine, soapy, sugary, unctuous

Near Antonyms

alienating, disaffecting, displeasing; repugnant, repulsive; arrogant, disdainful, haughty, insolent, proud, scornful

Learn More about insinuating

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for insinuating Nglish: Translation of insinuating for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of insinuating for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up insinuating? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

WORD OF THE DAY

nuncupative

play

spoken rather than written

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

The Exceptions Quiz III

Which of these words does not mean "nonsense"?

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ

SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Words at Play

alt-59ea52ed7b96f

Learned Fools: On Names for Students

Where did we get 'freshman' and 'sophomore'?

alt-59e900afadac6

The Synonyms 'Discover' and 'Invent'

In the past, you could invent fruit.

alt-59e8c3440f453

I'll Have the Us(ual)

Shortening 'usual': easy to say, hard to spell

alt-59e77dc36c593

The Origins of 'Lobbyist'

From the front hallways to the back rooms

Ask the Editors

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066

Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Don't get us started on 'bimonthly'

video-irregardless-grammar-peeve-blend-of-the-synonyms-irrespective-and-regardless

Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

video-moose-goose-weird-plurals

Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Word Games

one-green-toy-robot-amidst-many-red-toy-robots

The Exceptions Quiz III

Which of these things doesn't belong?

Take the quiz

knupfer-painting-solon-before-croesus

Forms of Government Quiz

Name that government! Or something like that.

Take the quiz

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

Take the quiz

SCRABBLE® Sprint

SCRABBLE® Sprint

SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!

Play the game

Examples: insinuating in a Sentence