as in innuendo
a slyly or subtly derogatory remark
the insinuation that there were considerations other than love for the actor having such a high-profile wedding
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of insinuation
Love humility and don’t mind the insinuations that cause sorrow . . .
—
Hilton Als, New Yorker, 17 July 2025
Social media was running wild with videos and photos of Carrington’s fingers hitting Clark in the eye, with unsubstantiated claims and insinuations that Carrington had tried to injure Clark.
—Christine Brennan, CNN Money, 6 July 2025
Even so, the press release notes that JET’s plasma volume was three times larger than that of the Wendelstein reactor, which would have given JET an advantage—a not-so-subtle insinuation that, all other things being equal, the German project should be considered the true leader.
—Tom Metcalfe, Scientific American, 2 July 2025
My mother was shouting, making insinuations about both my au pair and me.
—Stephanie Guerilus, People.com, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for insinuation
Hilton Als, New Yorker, 17 July 2025
Social media was running wild with videos and photos of Carrington’s fingers hitting Clark in the eye, with unsubstantiated claims and insinuations that Carrington had tried to injure Clark.
—Christine Brennan, CNN Money, 6 July 2025
Even so, the press release notes that JET’s plasma volume was three times larger than that of the Wendelstein reactor, which would have given JET an advantage—a not-so-subtle insinuation that, all other things being equal, the German project should be considered the true leader.
—Tom Metcalfe, Scientific American, 2 July 2025
My mother was shouting, making insinuations about both my au pair and me.
—Stephanie Guerilus, People.com, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for insinuation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insinuation
Noun
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The latter song definitely required a bit of a disclaimer from Kylie, as the buzzy lyrics are full of innuendos about Travis’ — ahem — package.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
9 Oct. 2025
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Produced before the rigid censorship of Hollywood’s Hays Code, The Old Dark House is much more explicit than horror films in the years to follow, dripping with provocations and innuendos, with a daring sensibility befitting a director whose own personal life flew in the face of convention.—
Samantha Allen,
Them.,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Bank of America estimates that a combination of different-cell imputation and the varied impact of tariffs likely will alter the headline CPI reading by only a basis point or two — 0.01 or 0.02 percentage point.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
11 Aug. 2025
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While loans can be made without interest that might trigger the imputation of interest under the tax rules.—
Martin Shenkman,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
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When asked about Roberts’ suggestion that Ohtani’s at-bats were shorter on his pitching days to conserve energy, his response was brief.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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My suggestion is to offer 1% or 2%.—
Jeff Lazerson,
Oc Register,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Insinuation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insinuation. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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