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
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
-
The festive, charming and energetic North American tour of the Broadway production is packed with as much nostalgia as new characters that are doppelgangers for the original series’ heroes and villains, and who often challenge our assumptions about their infamous families.—
John Wenzel,
Denver Post,
4 June 2026
-
Guest says season two will reckon with Simon and Trevor’s legal standing without abandoning their charming dynamic as actors-in-arms.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
In it, when her brother is arrested, Harvard Law student Madison Rivera cuts a deal with the DOJ to save him by infiltrating the chambers of the most powerful judge in Boston, Judge Kathryn Conroy.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
3 June 2026
-
After infiltrating the local music scene, Arthur was offered a gig as rhythm guitarist in the Merry-Go-Round band, on one condition — a rebranding.—
Jonathan Rowe,
SPIN,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Goldman Sachs on Wednesday raised its 12-month target for the benchmark Kospi to 12,000, implying more than 35% upside from current levels.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
3 June 2026
-
Earlier this month, Matsui’s campaign came after Vang for taking corporate donations from Sacramento-area businesses during her city council campaigns, implying that Vang’s vows to not accept money from corporate PACs in her congressional bid is hypocritical.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Hull the strawberries by inserting a paring knife into the stem end and twisting (alternatively, slice off the top to remove the stem).—
Maddy Sweitzer-Lamme,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
5 June 2026
-
Invest your energies there, rather than in trying to debate with your mother or inserting yourself into the conflict between your father and this man.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Denver Post,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
Autonomous task forces of drones could be assigned to defend against specific threats — Russian subs sneaking into the Atlantic Ocean, say, or a possible amphibious landing on Taiwan.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
-
As for oats, consider sneaking in some extra protein to round out their nutritional profile.—
Julia Ries Wexler,
Health,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Current pricing is indicating virtually no chance of cuts anytime through at least 2027.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
29 May 2026
-
An appeals court found that there was no evidence indicating Carroll personally secured the outside funding.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Last season Hustus handled more than 16,000 lobsters all while chatting animatedly with visitors from around the world—and often introducing them to their first tastes of lobster.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
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Investors are still underwriting many of these companies like SaaS, despite AI introducing real volatility in compute, energy, and margin profiles.—
Alex Knapp,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Insinuating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insinuating. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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