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

But in an appearance on WDAE radio, Gruden insinuated that the report was false. —Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026

The Deflategate fallout is one reason sports talk insinuated Polian, a member of the Hall of Fame who has a vote, was behind Belichick’s snub. —Merlisa Lawrence Corbett, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026

The song insinuated that Lamar had cheated on his fiancée and was physically violent with her. —Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Jan. 2026

The judge, who inherited Maxwell’s case after the trial judge was appointed to an appeals court, ruled that has no authority to supervise the department’s compliance with the new law, and that Massie and Khanna have no standing, or legal right, to insinuate themselves into Maxwell’s case. —Michael R. Sisak, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026

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