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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 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
Some right-wing influencers and MAGA-friendly news outlets seized on the killer’s gender identity, insinuating that the shooting had something to do with them being trans.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025
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
Bolsonaro never formally conceded his narrow electoral defeat to Lula in October 2022, insinuating that instead the election had been stolen.
—Anthony Pereira, The Conversation, 21 Feb. 2025
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
Cardi responded in kind, speculating whether or not Minaj was abusing substances, and insinuating that Minaj’s substance use has affected her children’s health.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 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
Some right-wing influencers and MAGA-friendly news outlets seized on the killer’s gender identity, insinuating that the shooting had something to do with them being trans.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025
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
Bolsonaro never formally conceded his narrow electoral defeat to Lula in October 2022, insinuating that instead the election had been stolen.
—Anthony Pereira, The Conversation, 21 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insinuating
Adjective
-
From learning how to order a pint to sharing your snacks, the culture is full of charming traditions and surprising rules.—
Daniel Wine,
CNN Money,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Both are charming, sociable and irresistible, drawing others in while on daily walks or at any gathering.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Tea is approached by PET and tasked with infiltrating the criminal empire of Miran, a ruthless criminal posing as a businessman.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
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Billitier did have a hell of a story to tell about his decades of undercover work for the FBI, including several years infiltrating a Colombian drug ring in Texas.—
Steve Belanger,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In between her fingers is a key and yellow keychain, perhaps implying a new home purchase.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
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The analysts also increased their Apple price target to $320 per share from $270, implying an 18% upside from Tuesday’s close.—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Roberts tried re-arranging his lineup, inserting Will Smith in the second spot behind Ohtani, while moving Mookie Betts to the third slot ahead of Freddie Freeman.—
Barry M. Bloom,
Sportico.com,
30 Oct. 2025
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Miami used Daniel Brunskill in a psuedo-tight end role last week, inserting him as a sixth offensive lineman on 15 plays.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
29 Oct. 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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Berens brings his particular brand of Midwest nice to his latest hour (watch the trailer above), full of stories about growing up one of 12 children, sneaking a beer into church, gambling with his grandmother, and Midwest Cheap Hacks.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
3 Nov. 2025
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In this song, the kids catch Mom and Dad sneaking snacks in the kitchen after bedtime.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Olsavsky indicating that spending will likely increase again in 2026.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
2 Nov. 2025
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Health inspectors said mussels were missing a sticky note indicating when they should be discarded.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In recent days, both Democrats and Republicans desperately tried to avoid the SNAP cutoff, introducing competing measures to insulate the program from the shutdown.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
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Conventional wisdom seemed to make things worse, but scientists say new guidelines on introducing peanuts earlier in life appear to be helping.—
Daniel Wine,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Insinuating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insinuating. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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