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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of imply The cancer vaccine research company climbed 3.6% after Piper Sandler raised its rating to overweight from neutral, with a $5 price target implying more than 70% upside from Monday’s close, according to FactSet. Sarah Min, CNBC, 20 May 2025 But this does not imply that that handful ought to be granted carte blanche over the party’s entire agenda. The Editors, National Review, 20 May 2025 This implies a strong Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 6.4% (vs. 21.5% for S&P 500). Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025 For them, the SAVES Act can do just what its name implies — save their life. Daniel Bean, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for imply
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imply
Verb
  • Currently, there is no data indicating the containment progress of the fire and its cause has not yet been determined.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 18 May 2025
  • If most discussions are dominated by a few voices, or if disagreement is rare, that may indicate low psychological safety—regardless of what survey responses say.
    Cynthia Pong, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
Verb
  • But others who are familiar with what the program does — and doesn’t do — suggest such claims are exaggerated or false.
    Christopher O’Donnell, Miami Herald, 17 May 2025
  • Pagnol did suggest this idea, to put a tariff on American cinema.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • The disparate responses from voters in all three countries -- and the lack of any decisive victory for any one party or candidate in Portugal or Poland -- hint that the political polarization that has roiled the U.S. over the past decade is a global trend, not merely an American one.
    David Brennan, ABC News, 21 May 2025
  • The only good news for Miami fans was that coach Javier Mascherano hinted in his pregame interview that Messi could be signing a contract extension in the coming weeks.
    Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 19 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Imply.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imply. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on imply

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