intimation
noun
in·ti·ma·tion
ˌin-tə-ˈmā-shən 
plural intimations
: an indirect, usually subtle suggestion, indication, or hint
intimations that she may retire from teaching next year
It can be any time from the earliest intimation of fall, when wetland maples turn a searing red, to the third week of October, when gaudy leaves carpet the forest floor.—
Madeline Drexler
Madeline DrexlerThey bored me stiff but George had expertise and gave occasional intimations of power in reserve.—Tobias Wolff
Tobias WolffExamples of intimation in a Sentence
the newscaster could not resist giving a slight intimation that the voting was going contrary to predictions
Recent Examples on the Web
In legalese mixed with intimations of personal pain, Bar lists Netanyahu’s attempts to turn the Shin Bet into a secret police protecting the prime minister personally rather than the nation.
—Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 25 Apr. 2025
This season started with the Ratliff kids debating sleeping arrangements and continued with Saxon’s unnatural interest in Piper’s (Sarah Catherine Hook) possible virginity, as well as ongoing intimations of voyeurism and partner-sharing.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Mar. 2025
For all its multinational sprawl and intimations of high peril, the film is ultimately a two-person drama about a daughter (Phoebe Dynevor) finding out who her long-absent father (Rhys Ifans) really is.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 22 Jan. 2025
This season started with the Ratliff kids debating sleeping arrangements and continued with Saxon’s unnatural interest in Piper’s (Sarah Catherine Hook) possible virginity, as well as ongoing intimations of voyeurism and partner-sharing.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intimation
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Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 25 Apr. 2025
This season started with the Ratliff kids debating sleeping arrangements and continued with Saxon’s unnatural interest in Piper’s (Sarah Catherine Hook) possible virginity, as well as ongoing intimations of voyeurism and partner-sharing.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Mar. 2025
For all its multinational sprawl and intimations of high peril, the film is ultimately a two-person drama about a daughter (Phoebe Dynevor) finding out who her long-absent father (Rhys Ifans) really is.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 22 Jan. 2025
This season started with the Ratliff kids debating sleeping arrangements and continued with Saxon’s unnatural interest in Piper’s (Sarah Catherine Hook) possible virginity, as well as ongoing intimations of voyeurism and partner-sharing.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intimation
Cite this Entry
“Intimation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intimation. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
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