Synonyms of imply

imply

verb

im-ˈplī 

as in to indicate

to convey an idea indirectly

they may have implied that they'd help, but they didn't actually say so

Synonyms & Similar Words

• indicate
• suggest
• hint
• allude
• infer
• refer
• signify
• mention
• intimate
• insinuate
• point
• signal
• signalize
• smell (of)
• advert
• smack (of)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• declare
• announce
• proclaim
• explain
• describe
• elucidate
• spell out
• delineate

Synonym Chooser

How is the word imply distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of imply are hint, insinuate, intimate, and suggest. While all these words mean "to convey an idea indirectly," 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

When is it sensible to use hint instead of imply?

The words hint and imply are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, hint implies the use of slight or remote suggestion with a minimum of overt statement.

hinted that she might get the job

When can insinuate be used instead of imply?

The synonyms insinuate and imply are sometimes interchangeable, but insinuate applies to the conveying of a usually unpleasant idea in a sly underhanded manner.

insinuated that there were shady dealings

When could intimate be used to replace imply?

Although the words intimate and imply have much in common, intimate stresses delicacy of suggestion without connoting any lack of candor.

intimates that there is more to the situation than meets the eye

Where would suggest be a reasonable alternative to imply?

While in some cases nearly identical to imply, 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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of imply

That rapid growth combined with the industry’s opacity — the terms of private loans are, as the name implies, not public — has long made the sector a subject of concern for policy makers and academics, Goldstein notes. —Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2026

The government said only that Zhang is under investigation for unspecified violations of law and discipline, but the military’s main newspaper implied that the probe was part of a larger plan to strengthen the military by rooting out corruption. —Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2026

NewsNation correspondent Brian Entin shared that a local law enforcement source described the property as spotless, implying there were no signs a struggle had taken place inside the house. —Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 1 Apr. 2026

As the name implies, Lisbon lemons are believed to have originated in Portugal. —Nashia Baker, Martha Stewart, 31 Mar. 2026