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 Taken together, these policies insinuate that for some people, simply existing is the crime. Kate Caldwell, Mercury News, 30 Sep. 2025 As Kelce added to a couple weeks ago by imitating Mahomes as payback for Mahomes insinuating Kelce couldn’t find Brazil on the map. Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2025 In an interview, Piagentini said the poster insinuates violence toward people with opinions that differ. Killian Baarlaer, Louisville Courier Journal, 12 Sep. 2025 Waller, the Miami Dolphins’ top offensive addition this offseason, missed the media’s viewing portion of Thursday’s practice, which coach Mike McDaniel insinuated the veteran tight end was being rested Wednesday to ensure his participation. Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for insinuate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insinuate
Verb
  • Even with fewer boaters on the water, the threat of aquatic nuisance species infiltrating your favorite lake remains.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Indeed, a 2020 study found that meltwater trickling into Antarctica’s ice shelves could infiltrate cracks and force them open, a precursor to marine ice cliff instability that DeConto and colleagues envisioned.
    Evan Howell, Quanta Magazine, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • And pretty much all of the data suffer from the reality that, as any stats teacher will remind you, correlation does not necessarily imply causation.
    Stephanie H. Murray, The Atlantic, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Morgan Stanley's 12-month price target of $800 implies 18% upside.
    Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Having a large needle inserted into my spine for 20 minutes in order to collect enough cerebrospinal fluid was terrifying.
    Michelle Maves, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
  • However, the real ineptitude occurs a little earlier when River interprets a fight that Gimball has with Jaffrey’s chief of staff, Tyson Bowman (Abraham Popoola), as a physical attack and inserts himself into the scene, setting off this tragicomic series of events.
    Scott Tobias, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The night before an away game in Knoxville, Russ and Danny must sneak out of the team hotel and go on a dangerous mission behind enemy lines.
    Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Whatever your topping of choice, anyone can relate to this pup sneaking a slice.
    Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Their 3-1 victory over the Brewers on Thursday, in a game that felt more comfortable than the score might have indicated, put them in position to get back to the World Series for the second year in a row, third time in six years and fifth time in the last nine.
    Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Their results indicate that thermal machines functioning at the atomic scale are capable of converting not only heat but also correlations into usable work.
    Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • So in 2017, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases formally recommended parents introduce children under the age of 3 to allergens like nuts.
    Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Aquatic nuisance species are non-native plants and animals that can cause ecological or economic harm, or even harm to human health if introduced to a body of water.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • After a scramble from Baltimore’s corner kick, Kerr’s header at the back post wormed through a thicket of defenders, and Cuthbert had the final touch.
    Cerys Jones, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • This story has wormed its way into all levels of British cultural output.
    Will Collins, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Adam Weirib of Yanks Go Yard recently suggested the Yankees could look to swing a trade for Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal.
    Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Oct. 2025
  • This could help explain why some research suggests that kombucha may not affect blood sugar as much as other drinks with similar sugar content.
    Sarah Garone, Health, 18 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Insinuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insinuate. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

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