as in charming
likely or intended to win one's affection
the fortune hunter's insinuating attentions were having their intended effect on the naive heiress
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in infiltrating
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
2
as in implying
to convey an idea indirectly
are you insinuating that I won by cheating?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in inserting
to put among or between others
quietly insinuated herself among the concertgoers raptly listening to the piano solo
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of insinuating
Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Dec. 2022
The complaint says that since at least early 2021, McKillips had been posting messages insinuating or explicitly threatening to harm the government or federal agents.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 2 Nov. 2022
But Johnson’s pieces were intimate and insinuating, not imposing, rarely much larger than a comic book and easily overlooked.
—Vince Aletti, The New Yorker, 22 July 2022
The only sparks in the evening came from countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo (Dionysus/Dracula), who commanded attention at every appearance with his insinuating, chromatic vocal line and some spectacular costumes by Chrisi Karvonides-Dushenko.
—Heidi Waleson, WSJ, 10 Aug. 2021
The Harptones had Willie Winfield, a tenor vocalist with immaculate pitch and an insinuating way with a phrase, and Raoul Cita, a gifted vocal arranger who made sure the group's voicings were always distinctive.
—Richard Sandomir, New York Times, 3 Aug. 2021
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 31 Aug. 2025
Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel have been on the defensive after promising full transparency and insinuating new bombshell developments in the case.
—Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 10 July 2025
Adjective
In the process, the day-to-day nightmare of Dana’s new reality gets lost, even if the more insinuating discomfort of her present-day reality has been enhanced.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Dec. 2022
The complaint says that since at least early 2021, McKillips had been posting messages insinuating or explicitly threatening to harm the government or federal agents.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 2 Nov. 2022
But Johnson’s pieces were intimate and insinuating, not imposing, rarely much larger than a comic book and easily overlooked.
—Vince Aletti, The New Yorker, 22 July 2022
The only sparks in the evening came from countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo (Dionysus/Dracula), who commanded attention at every appearance with his insinuating, chromatic vocal line and some spectacular costumes by Chrisi Karvonides-Dushenko.
—Heidi Waleson, WSJ, 10 Aug. 2021
The Harptones had Willie Winfield, a tenor vocalist with immaculate pitch and an insinuating way with a phrase, and Raoul Cita, a gifted vocal arranger who made sure the group's voicings were always distinctive.
—Richard Sandomir, New York Times, 3 Aug. 2021
Verb
But within that slightly eccentric look, Dano gives a wily and insinuating performance.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 31 Aug. 2025
Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel have been on the defensive after promising full transparency and insinuating new bombshell developments in the case.
—Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 10 July 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insinuating
Adjective
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Charlie, a charming student, agrees to help if Avery pretends to be her girlfriend to make an ex jealous.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
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This space has also been revamped over the summer with a dedicated bar, which adds to The Bar space in the palazzo’s charming Red Room, replete with silk coverings lining the walls and an original fresco by Cesare Rotta framing the ceiling.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Taliban was and still is adept at infiltrating aid organizations and diverting aid to fill their coffers.—
Beth Bailey,
FOXNews.com,
1 Sep. 2025
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OneTaste opened its doors in San Francisco in the early two-thousands, as wellness culture was infiltrating the mainstream.—
Thessaly La Force,
New Yorker,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
In a response posted to social media, Kennedy hit back at the pediatrics academy's criticism, implying that the organization's views were influenced by corporate pharmaceutical funders.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
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The Moon was doing something that the Sun wasn’t — emitting gamma-rays — implying that, somehow, the Moon was doing a whole lot more than just reflecting sunlight.—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Fatemian takes a single vegetable at a time, starting with the carrots, and works his way around the edges, inserting the veggies into the arugula so they’re partially supported by the greens.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Sep. 2025
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The full-on answers are below for each group, finally inserting the four words in each category.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Sweeney stars as Penny Jo, a South Dakota diner waitress with an appealing smile, an ingratiating stammer, a scarf in her hair, and deep reserves of ruthless ambition.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Aug. 2025
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Still, on a moment-to-moment basis, the film has tension, strong character dynamics and sharp individual portraits whose astringency gets alleviated by Gottsagen and James’ more ingratiating turns.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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And some kids are even sneaking in game sessions during class.—
Annabelle Canela,
Parents,
5 Sep. 2025
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As with music, doing that work and sneaking in so much sound is all about the beats and the pitch.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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According to Amazon, the quilt has fewer returns than average compared to similar products, indicating that customers hold on to the popular set.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Sep. 2025
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However, continuing claims for benefits are above the lows, indicating some slowdown in people being rehired after losing their jobs.—
Bill Stone,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Neckties and pussycat bows remain a Bella Freud signature, and Ruspoli also helped Freud secure her first clothing commission—by introducing her to his friend Keith Richards.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
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Both are in Toronto introducing the project to potential collaborators and partners in town for the Toronto Film Festival.—
Jennie Punter,
Variety,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Insinuating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insinuating. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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