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 With each generation—whether their stories are published or not—our elders insinuate themselves into our consciousness and insist that they not be forgotten. A'lelia Bundles june 11, Literary Hub, 11 June 2025 That insinuated fans visiting the United States for the World Cup could use it to stay in the country, which is nonsensical, Navarro maintained. Anne M. Peterson, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2025 Speaking of shows in Canada, Top Dawg Entertainment artist SiR recently spoke about his Toronto show getting mysteriously cancelled last year and insinuated the Kendrick-Drake beef was the reason. Regina Cho, VIBE.com, 13 June 2025 But as Alonso insinuated, the Yankees didn’t stop there, adding an RBI single from Paul Goldschmidt before the red-hot Cody Bellinger cracked the game open with a grand slam off Genesis Cabrera. Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 19 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for insinuate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insinuate
Verb
  • Words change meaning over time, slang infiltrates the mainstream, and sometimes, a little creative license is acceptable.
    Jerry Weissman, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • Such attacks have already infiltrated U.S. water and wastewater systems, according to the non-profit think tank Center for Internet Security, which briefed law enforcement on Friday.
    Pierre Thomas, ABC News, 21 June 2025
Verb
  • Billionaire hedge-fund manager Bill Ackman offered to bankroll someone, anyone, who would run against Mamdani, implying his mayoralty would spur a flight with the ultrarich.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 27 June 2025
  • An old friend of Donna’s who, it’s implied, became more than friends after her husband left.
    Whitney Friedlander, Vulture, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Bake in preheated oven until tomatoes burst and a thermometer inserted into thickest portion of thighs registers 165°F, about 45 minutes.
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 28 June 2025
  • This might happen, for instance, if there is any bacteria on syringe needles inserted into a vial.
    Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • While Lian was staring in the mirror practicing her hows and lows and preparing for her future, Wenyu was sneaking out of prep class more and more frequently to pull petty pranks with her new boyfriend.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 July 2025
  • At the end of Season 2, In-ho so graciously betrays everybody and eventually sneaks away from the pack, fakes his own death of the walkie talkie, and then puts his mask back on and punishes Gi-hun for causing this whole revolt and shoots and kills his best friend right in front of him.
    Jim Halterman, Variety, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • So far, there's nothing to indicate any criminality Carl DeFazio, formerly of the NYPD, was brought on as the private investigator in the case.
    July 5, CBS News, 5 July 2025
  • While the door-kicking challenge has existed for years, multiple agencies have issued recent warnings, indicating a possible uptick in the trend this summer.
    Audrey Conklin, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2025
Verb
  • According to the lawsuit, Thomas was introduced by women's swimming head coach Mike Schnur to the women's swimmers during a team meeting in Fall 2019 as their incoming teammate.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2025
  • Despite the Maxton Hall books publishing in 2018, more readers will now be introduced to the books for the first time.
    Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • To my great embarrassment, the Velvet Sundown’s songs even managed to worm their way into my brain.
    Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 4 July 2025
  • The flea larvae, which look like tiny maggots, worm their way into the carpet or mattress, feeding on the flea dirt that their parents left behind, says Benson.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • But only $2 million is being allocated to nutrition, an amount experts suggest is inadequate.
    Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • While the Hendrickson possibility is still an option, another name has been suggested as a possible target for the Packers.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Insinuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insinuate. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

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