insinuation

noun

in·​sin·​u·​a·​tion (ˌ)in-ˌsin-yə-ˈwā-shən 

-yü-ˈā-

1

: something that is insinuated

especially : a sly, subtle, and usually derogatory utterance

2

: the act or process of insinuating

Synonyms

• innuendo
• imputation
• suggestion

Examples of insinuation in a Sentence

I resent her insinuation that I can't do it without her help.

He criticizes his opponents by insinuation rather than directly.

Recent Examples on the Web

The very insinuation that trading Jokic might ever be plausible caused a mini-panic among fans on social media. —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 24 June 2025

She was upset by the insinuation and claimed Hassan was fully aware of her past incident. —Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 9 June 2025

Given how potent the survivor interviews are and how negligible the details are on the systemic failures, Surviving Ohio State would have been better with more focus on the former and less unsubstantiated insinuation — however persuasive — about the latter. —Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 10 June 2025

And then there will be all sorts of insinuations about why this happened. —David Brennan, ABC News, 13 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1526, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for insinuation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration