suggest

verb

sug·​gest səg-ˈjest How to pronounce suggest (audio)
sə-ˈjest
suggested; suggesting; suggests

transitive verb

1
a
: to mention or imply as a possibility
suggested that he might bring his family
b
: to propose as desirable or fitting
suggest a stroll
c
: to offer for consideration or as a hypothesis
suggest a solution to a problem
2
a
: to call to mind by thought or association
the explosion … suggested sabotageF. L. Paxson
b
: to serve as a motive or inspiration for
a play suggested by a historic incident
3
a
: to call forth : evoke
b
obsolete : to seek to influence : seduce
suggester noun
Choose the Right Synonym for suggest

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

Examples of suggest in a Sentence

We suggested to the committee that they review the case again. It was suggested that we leave early. He suggested several different ways of dealing with the problem. Who would you suggest for the job? They suggested a restaurant we might want to try. I suggest caution in a situation like this. The evidence suggests arson as the cause of the fire. There is nothing to suggest that the two events are connected. As the name suggests, a yarn winder is a device used to wind balls of yarn.
Recent Examples on the Web Instagram head Adam Mosseri said on Threads last month that the change will influence what people see on their main feeds of Instagram and Threads, like the explore page, reels, feed recommendations and suggested users. Rachel Treisman, NPR, 26 Mar. 2024 His decision showed the limits of that strategy and suggested that the hyperbole in which Trump's lawyers sometimes engage could work against them at trial. Compiled Bydemocrat-Gazette Stafffrom Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 26 Mar. 2024 But some retail experts suggest partnerships can also be a risky move, and one that can put off McDonald’s franchise owners, create communication hurdles and weaken the respective brand names. Ramishah Maruf, CNN, 26 Mar. 2024 Kratom use on the rise The number of people in the United States who use kratom is unclear, though anecdotal evidence and import records suggests an increase in interest and usage. Georgea Kovanis, Detroit Free Press, 26 Mar. 2024 Jobs numbers may follow suit this year: BLS data from early 2024 suggests a strengthening of the state’s job numbers, though the figures are provisional. Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2024 While studies suggest the climate and the environment are among top issues for U.K. voters, many resent being hit with financial penalties aimed at forcing them to adopt a greener lifestyle. Joe Mayes, Fortune Europe, 26 Mar. 2024 Another suggested the consultants should have looked to the example of independent teams like the Savannah Bananas whose unique style of baseball has brought both financial success and a cult following. Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Mar. 2024 On January 14th, a poll of fourteen thousand people, which Frost facilitated, suggested that the Party is on course for a huge defeat later this year. Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'suggest.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin suggestus, past participle of suggerere to pile up, furnish, suggest, from sub- + gerere to carry

First Known Use

1526, in the meaning defined at sense 3b

Time Traveler
The first known use of suggest was in 1526

Dictionary Entries Near suggest

Cite this Entry

“Suggest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suggest. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

suggest

verb
sug·​gest sə(g)-ˈjest How to pronounce suggest (audio)
1
a
: to put (as a thought) into a person's mind
b
: to propose as an idea or possibility
suggest going for a walk
2
: to call to mind through close connection or association
the fire suggests arson
suggester noun

Legal Definition

suggest

transitive verb
sug·​gest
1
: to mention or imply as a possibility
2
: to enter on the record as a suggestion

More from Merriam-Webster on suggest

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