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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of insinuating
Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2025
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
Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2026
The average analyst has a hold rating and price target insinuating shares can fall more than 32%, according to LSEG.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
After news of the explosive discovery of the explosives emerged, members of Orban’s government began insinuating that Ukraine was responsible for the plot.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026
As Ross, Martin’s friend and confidante, Kevin Singer has the insinuating righteousness of a slinky cat, his line readings all mews and snarls.
—Steven Winn, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026
The Tagovailoa era didn’t fail because coach Mike McDaniel wasn’t a leader of men, which Tagovailoa was seemingly insinuating to the Atlanta media.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
The script, penned by Bartek Bartosik and Naqqash Khalid, becomes bizarrely moralistic by the end, insinuating that the debased and debauched might perhaps see their problems solved by becoming domesticated.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 6 Mar. 2026
The letter challenged the validity of Madrid's candidacy, insinuating that Madrid was a resident of Laveen, not Apache County.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 5 Mar. 2026
Kafer continues the bias against wolves by insinuating that the state has reintroduced lynx, elk, moose, turkeys, grouse, ferrets, and now wolverines based on science, but not wolves.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Rather than viewing the insinuating and undeniably creepy Gacy as an inherent threat, Macmanus finds the tragedy in the disparate and desperate circumstances amid which Gacy might have represented an illusion of hope.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2025
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
Almost a decade ago, a Palos Township trustee came under fire for Facebook comments insinuating that local schools were full of undocumented Middle Eastern students.
—Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2026
The average analyst has a hold rating and price target insinuating shares can fall more than 32%, according to LSEG.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
After news of the explosive discovery of the explosives emerged, members of Orban’s government began insinuating that Ukraine was responsible for the plot.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026
As Ross, Martin’s friend and confidante, Kevin Singer has the insinuating righteousness of a slinky cat, his line readings all mews and snarls.
—Steven Winn, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026
The Tagovailoa era didn’t fail because coach Mike McDaniel wasn’t a leader of men, which Tagovailoa was seemingly insinuating to the Atlanta media.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
The script, penned by Bartek Bartosik and Naqqash Khalid, becomes bizarrely moralistic by the end, insinuating that the debased and debauched might perhaps see their problems solved by becoming domesticated.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 6 Mar. 2026
The letter challenged the validity of Madrid's candidacy, insinuating that Madrid was a resident of Laveen, not Apache County.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 5 Mar. 2026
Kafer continues the bias against wolves by insinuating that the state has reintroduced lynx, elk, moose, turkeys, grouse, ferrets, and now wolverines based on science, but not wolves.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 16 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insinuating
Adjective
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Max is everything Inger has ever dreamed of – travelled and irresistibly charming.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
14 May 2026
-
But for the 42-year-old content creator, cleaning goes beyond the charming aesthetics of her videos.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
Verb
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There is no infiltrating this environment.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
-
Knicks fans even went as far as infiltrating local news broadcasts in celebration.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
Verb
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Kreutzer cuts clunkily and repeatedly between the ongoing crises in two households, presumably implying that the men in these women’s lives are all tarred with the same patriarchal brush.—
Stephanie Bunbury,
Deadline,
15 May 2026
-
Both Ju-ran and Un-jeong cough up blood during the final fight, implying that their days may be numbered.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Navel-gazing cinema about the creative process isn’t usually my bag, but Almodóvar doesn’t take his own misery that seriously, even inserting a manic pixie dream hunk, a male stripper-slash-firefighter played by Patrick Criado, for a little bump and grind.—
Joshua Rothkopf,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2026
-
Proper lighting makes simple tasks like applying makeup and inserting contacts easier.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
20 May 2026
Adjective
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Jehosheba’s mother has her daughter recite an ingratiating thank-you speech to the Aunts.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
15 Apr. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Christie is preparing to launch a mysterious new line of suits, at a hundred thousand dollars apiece, a plan that the three women catch wind of when Corvette actually manages to get a foot in the door—by sneaking into Christie’s apartment.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
22 May 2026
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After about a year at the park and sneaking onto a field with American-style uprights at Kanda University, where some of his friends went to school, Matsuzawa wanted to make his project more serious.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
15 May 2026
Verb
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At the time of reporting FIFA struck media deals with 180 territories to broadcast the tournament, with more to come, indicating appetite remained strong even amid wider concerns.—
James Robson,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
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Look the other person in the eye and give your voice a downward inflection at the end of your suggestion, indicating finality.—
John Richardson
Attia Qureshi,
CNBC,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
The expansive Montauk Yacht Club is introducing new wellness options for the summer season, from a floating wellness cabana in collaboration with Elemis to a partnership with Jamie O’Brien Surf Experience.—
Kristen Tauer,
Footwear News,
23 May 2026
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Since early 2022, Living Earth has helped shape the artistic component of the experience, introducing everything from musicians and experimental performers to theatrical and immersive experiences.—
Daily News,
Daily News,
23 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Insinuating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insinuating. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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