Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

intimate

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of intimate

1 closely acquainted

  • intimate friends who can practically finish each otherʼs sentences
Synonyms of intimate

bosom, buddy-buddy, chummy, close, especial, familiar, friendly, inseparable, inward, near, thick, tight
Words Related to intimate

clannish, close-knit, tight-knit

affable, boon, companionable, convivial, cordial, genial, gracious, hearty

gregarious, sociable, social

comfortable, cozy, easy, snug

amicable, neighborly

confidential, secretive

adoring, affectionate, dear, devoted, fond, loving, tender, tenderhearted, warm
Near Antonyms of intimate

aloof, antisocial, cold, cool, detached, distant, frosty, remote, reserved, standoffish, unfriendly, unsociable, withdrawn
Antonyms of intimate

distant

2 not known or meant to be known by the general populace

  • they trusted each other enough to share intimate thoughts
Synonyms of intimate

behind-the-scenes, confidential, esoteric, hush-hush, hushed, inside, nonpublic, private, privy, secret
Words Related to intimate

classified, restricted, top secret

silent, unadvertised, unannounced, undisclosed, unmentioned, unsaid, untold

clandestine, closet, collusive, conspiratorial, covert

furtive, hugger-mugger, occult, sneak, sneaking, sneaky, stealthy, surreptitious, undercover, underground, underhand, underhanded

personal

closeted, concealed, hidden

repressed, silenced, stifled, suppressed

backstage, offscreen, offstage
Near Antonyms of intimate

well-known

advertised, aired, announced, blazed, broadcast, declared, disclosed, divulged, enunciated, heralded, proclaimed, professed, promulgated, publicized, published, reported, spotlighted

general, popular, prevailing, vulgar

current, prevalent, rife, widespread

communal, shared
Antonyms of intimate

common, open, public

intimate

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of intimate

a person who has a strong liking for and trust in another

  • usually quite aloof in public, heʼs actually very relaxed with his intimates
Synonyms of intimate

alter ego, amigo, buddy, chum, compadre, comrade, confidant, confidante, crony, familiar, friend, mate [chiefly British], musketeer, pal
Words Related to intimate

acquaintance

associate, cohort, colleague, companion, fellow, hearty, hobnobber, partner, peer, sport

blood brother, brother, main man, sister

abettor (also abetter), accomplice, ally, collaborator, confederate

pen pal

benefactor, supporter, sympathizer, well-wisher

friendly
Near Antonyms of intimate

adversary, antagonist, competitor, opponent, rival

archenemy, nemesis
Antonyms of intimate

enemy, foe

intimate

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of intimate

to convey an idea indirectly

  • trying to intimate that there was more going on than anyone knew
Synonyms of intimate

allude, hint, imply, indicate, infer, insinuate, suggest
Words Related to intimate

advert, mention, point, refer, signal, signalize, signify

smack (of), smell (of)
Near Antonyms of intimate

announce, declare, proclaim

elucidate, explain, spell out

delineate, describe

Synonym Discussion of intimate

suggest, imply, hint, intimate, insinuate mean to convey an idea indirectly. suggest may stress putting into the mind by association of ideas, awakening of a desire, or initiating a train of thought.
    • a film title that suggests its subject matter
imply is close to suggest but may indicate a more definite or logical relation of the unexpressed idea to the expressed.
    • measures implying that bankruptcy was imminent
hint implies the use of slight or remote suggestion with a minimum of overt statement.
    • hinted that she might get the job
intimate stresses delicacy of suggestion without connoting any lack of candor.
    • intimates that there is more to the situation than meets the eye
insinuate applies to the conveying of a usually unpleasant idea in a sly underhanded manner.
    • insinuated that there were shady dealings

Learn More about intimate

  1. See words that rhyme with intimate Dictionary: Definition of intimate Spanish Central: Translation of intimate Nglish: Translation of intimate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of intimate for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up intimate? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

nidus

a nest or breeding place

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. nebulous Lip reading, Brexit, and semantic uncertainty

  2. synergy Mueller files Cohen details.

  3. slumgullion From the broadcast of 'It Happened on Fifth Avenue'

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games