Synonyms of intimate

intimate 1 of 3

adjective

ˈin-tə-mət 

1

as in close

closely acquainted

intimate friends who can practically finish each other's sentences

Synonyms & Similar Words

• close
• familiar
• friendly
• inseparable
• bosom
• chummy
• tight
• comfortable
• inward
• especial
• near
• affectionate
• social
• convivial
• loving
• thick
• buddy-buddy
• dear
• companionable
• gracious
• confidential
• cozy
• clannish
• cordial
• close-knit
• affable
• gregarious
• secretive
• sociable
• tight-knit
• easy
• genial
• neighborly
• warm
• amicable
• boon
• hearty
• adoring
• snug
• devoted
• fond
• tender
• tenderhearted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• distant
• distant
• remote
• cold
• cool
• withdrawn
• detached
• aloof
• unfriendly
• antisocial
• frosty
• reserved
• standoffish
• unsociable

2

as in confidential

not known or meant to be known by the general populace

they trusted each other enough to share intimate thoughts

Synonyms & Similar Words

• confidential
• private
• secret
• personal
• esoteric
• undisclosed
• classified
• hidden
• nonpublic
• inside
• clandestine
• behind-the-scenes
• privy
• restricted
• undercover
• hushed
• hush-hush
• concealed
• top secret
• conspiratorial
• surreptitious
• covert
• collusive
• silent
• unadvertised
• untold
• unsaid
• furtive
• underground
• unmentioned
• closet
• unannounced
• stealthy
• closeted
• sneaky
• sneak
• backstage
• repressed
• underhanded
• underhand
• suppressed
• occult
• offstage
• stifled
• silenced
• offscreen
• sneaking
• hugger-mugger

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• public
• common
• open
• general
• broadcast
• publicized
• popular
• vulgar
• aired
• advertised
• widespread
• disclosed
• current
• professed
• reported
• communal
• published
• well-known
• proclaimed
• heralded
• announced
• prevailing
• prevalent
• blazed
• declared
• shared
• rife
• divulged
• enunciated
• spotlighted
• promulgated

intimate

2 of 3

noun

ˈin-tə-mət 

as in friend

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

usually quite aloof in public, he's actually very relaxed with his intimates

Synonyms & Similar Words

• friend
• buddy
• confidant
• familiar
• confidante
• alter ego
• pal
• colleague
• partner
• sister
• acquaintance
• chum
• compadre
• comrade
• crony
• musketeer
• brother
• mate
• companion
• hearty
• associate
• amigo
• peer
• accomplice
• collaborator
• cohort
• ally
• friendly
• fellow
• blood brother
• sport
• benefactor
• main man
• pen pal
• supporter
• hobnobber
• sympathizer
• abettor
• confederate
• well-wisher

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• enemy
• foe
• adversary
• competitor
• opponent
• rival
• antagonist
• archenemy
• nemesis

intimate

3 of 3

verb

ˈin-tə-ˌmāt 

as in to indicate

to convey an idea indirectly

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• indicate
• imply
• hint
• suggest
• allude
• infer
• refer
• insinuate
• point
• mention
• signal
• signify
• smell (of)
• advert
• signalize
• smack (of)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• announce
• explain
• declare
• proclaim
• describe
• elucidate
• spell out
• delineate

Synonym Chooser

How is the word intimate distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of intimate are hint, imply, insinuate, and suggest. While all these words mean "to convey an idea indirectly," intimate stresses delicacy of suggestion without connoting any lack of candor.

intimates that there is more to the situation than meets the eye

In what contexts can hint take the place of intimate?

The meanings of hint and intimate largely overlap; however, hint implies the use of slight or remote suggestion with a minimum of overt statement.

hinted that she might get the job

How are the words imply and suggest related as synonyms of intimate?

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

When would insinuate be a good substitute for intimate?

The words insinuate and intimate can be used in similar contexts, but insinuate applies to the conveying of a usually unpleasant idea in a sly underhanded manner.

insinuated that there were shady dealings

When could suggest be used to replace intimate?

The synonyms suggest and intimate are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of intimate

Adjective

The couple, who married in an intimate ceremony in 2010 and have two children, rarely talk about their relationship as a couple, but on this occasion, the star of The Good Patron made an exception in an interview with Variety in the lead-up to to the Cannes Film Festival. —Nuria Hernández, Vanity Fair, 7 May 2026

The Andes virus is a rare variant that can be passed from person to person through significant and intimate close contact such as sharing a bed for an extended period of time or exchanging saliva. —Irene Wright, USA Today, 7 May 2026

Noun

Joanna Griffiths has experimented with executive coaches for years to help her work through challenges in leading $400 million intimates company Knix. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2026

Called Layer Zero, the performance intimates brand will offer a collection priced $8 to $15 that will be sold primarily online but also at Costco. —Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 3 Feb. 2026

Verb

Beyond denim, Abercrombie is known for its range of basics, as well as its lounge, active, and intimates label, Aerie. —Malia Griggs, Glamour, 12 Dec. 2025

From solitary beach walks to intimate dinners overlooking stormy seas, winter by the waves is an underrated escape waiting to be discovered. —Amplified Content Studio, Mercury News, 3 Dec. 2025