Synonyms of insinuate

insinuate

verb

in-ˈsin-yə-ˌwāt 

1

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

• infiltrate
• insert
• sneak
• worm
• slip
• introduce
• work in
• wind
• wriggle
• creep
• wiggle
• interpose
• interpolate
• edge

2

as in to imply

to convey an idea indirectly

are you insinuating that I won by cheating?

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

3

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

• insert
• introduce
• interject
• inject
• interpolate
• fit (in or into)
• add
• interpose
• work in
• sandwich (in or between)
• intersperse
• weave
• intercalate
• edge in
• cut in
• install
• shove
• thrust
• inset
• wedge
• attach
• append
• lard
• inlay
• interline
• interfile
• cram

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• eliminate
• exclude
• extract
• withdraw
• deduct
• expel
• subtract
• eject
• reject
• detach

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

Recent Examples of insinuate

While some praised the highlighting of the Black soldiers, others critiqued the simultaneous disparaging of Native and Mexican Americans, arguing that the shirt insinuates that these groups exist in contrast to the United States. —Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 19 July 2025

This man seems to be insinuating himself into Lisa’s life in all sorts of possibly nefarious ways. —Brian Moylan, Vulture, 17 July 2025

But maybe that wouldn’t have happened, Hutson said, if local officials had been more cooperative and criminal elements weren’t allowed to insinuate themselves so deeply into their communities in the first place. —Mark Z. Barabak, Twin Cities, 15 July 2025

When the remains of the Barracuda are found later, the FBI finds no bodies in the car, insinuating that somehow the Iguana is still out there, too. —Lauren Huff Published, EW.com, 10 July 2025