INSINUATE Synonyms: 70 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'insinuate' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of insinuate are hint , imply , intimate , and suggest . While all these words mean "to convey an idea indirectly," insinuate applies to the conveying of a usually unpleasant idea in a sly underhanded manner. // insinuated that there were shady dealings

Q: When is 'hint' a more appropriate choice than 'insinuate'?

The meanings of hint and insinuate largely overlap; however, hint implies the use of slight or remote suggestion with a minimum of overt statement. // hinted that she might get the job

Q: How are the words 'imply' and 'suggest' related as synonyms of 'insinuate'?

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

Q: When could 'intimate' be used to replace 'insinuate'?

While in some cases nearly identical to insinuate , intimate stresses delicacy of suggestion without connoting any lack of candor. // intimates that there is more to the situation than meets the eye

Q: When can 'suggest' be used instead of 'insinuate'?

The words suggest and insinuate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

insinuate

verb

in-ˈsin-yə-ˌwāt

Definition of insinuate

as in to infiltrate

to introduce in a gradual, secret, or clever way years were needed for the agent to insinuate himself into the terrorist organization

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to imply

to convey an idea indirectly are you insinuating that I won by cheating?

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to insert

to put among or between others quietly insinuated herself among the concertgoers raptly listening to the piano solo

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word insinuate distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of insinuate are hint, imply, intimate, and suggest. While all these words mean "to convey an idea indirectly," insinuate applies to the conveying of a usually unpleasant idea in a sly underhanded manner.

insinuated that there were shady dealings

When is hint a more appropriate choice than insinuate?

The meanings of hint and insinuate largely overlap; however, hint implies the use of slight or remote suggestion with a minimum of overt statement.

hinted that she might get the job

How are the words imply and suggest related as synonyms of insinuate?

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 could intimate be used to replace insinuate?

While in some cases nearly identical to insinuate, intimate stresses delicacy of suggestion without connoting any lack of candor.

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

When can suggest be used instead of insinuate?

The words suggest and insinuate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 insinuate Clark, in a 9-minute long video said neither him, nor the company, support or meant to insinuate any form of domestic violence. — Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2026 That’s how grifters such as Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White, two former NBA players insinuating themselves clumsily into the transgender sports debate, create value. — Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Sprague insinuated that Clancy may have crushed up drugs earlier in the day or days before, but Reddington objected, and the judge agreed with him. — Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 26 Aug. 2026 Reason had to triumph in all things, or else waves of unreason, of which the Muckers were a model, would insinuate themselves into daily life. — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for insinuate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for insinuate

Verb

For a brand so rooted in sleek designs and drenched in an ever-present Bauhaus inspiration, seeing a botanical print infiltrating its language was unexpected.

— Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026
Still, hackers can infiltrate companies by duping an employee into installing malware on their computer or exploiting unknown vulnerabilities in their software or network.

— Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of infiltrate

Verb

This implies that even if the Federal Reserve acts again before year end, any movement would more likely represent a limited policy fine tuning grounded in inflation and employment data.

— , CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
Whether cutting sulfur-rich foods and red meat for two weeks measurably reduces odor, the directional test Palinski-Wade’s guidance implies.

— Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of imply

Verb

Similarly, after users realized the Rumpelstiltskin meme was made with AI, the clip quickly became a template for users to insert their own characters.

— Angela Yang, NBC news, 7 Oct. 2026
French design firm Gilles & Boissier helped design the 21 guestrooms, inserting green spaces filled with palm trees and other tropical flora to make each living space feel ultra-private.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of insert

Verb

It was announced on Saturday that Judkins and QB Deshaun Watson had been fined a cool $14,397, while guard Austin Barber, who also snuck a hit off of the invisible blunt, had to pony up $6,944.

— Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026
Miami rebounded by winning its final four games to sneak into the 12-team playoff field before making a run all the way to the CFP National Championship Game.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of sneak

Verb

Multiple sources have indicated that the final two executives in the frame are former Sky and BBC Three boss Stuart Murphy, and David Brindley, the CEO of Destination X producer Twofour.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham indicated that Iran may have played a role in the incident.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of indicate

Verb

The sales company is introducing the title to buyers at the Busan International Film Festival’s Asian Contents & Film Market.

— Ophélie Surcouf, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
Japan, with the oldest population in the world, introduced a tax on all over-40s in 2000, ring-fenced for care.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of introduce

Verb

Over the next several decades, and countless strangulations, Homer and Bart wormed their way into our hearts.

— Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Sep. 2026
The idea wormed its way through the State Fair machinery, and with a month and a half to go until gates opened, EatFuti heard they’d be allowed to test a pilot program.

— Courtney Crowder, Des Moines Register, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of worm

Verb

Fed Governor Christopher Waller said on Thursday that more hikes are needed to bring inflation down after around 5-and-a-half years above the central bank's 2% target, but suggested rates did not need to rise immediately.

— Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
Patients with detectable ctDNA at six months were 30 times more likely to progress in their disease during the study, suggesting ctDNA was a marker of potential progression.

— Allessandra DiCorato, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of suggest

Browse Nearby Words

insincerity

insinuate

insinuated

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Style

“Insinuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insinuate. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of insinuate

verb

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