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• withdrawn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
• abetter
• 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

Such systems aren't easily extended by external partners without intimate knowledge of the system’s internals. —Darko Pavic, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025

Mikulski called then-NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden, who at first offered up a relatively intimate affair for 300 people at the National Air and Space Museum. —Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 11 June 2025

Noun

Long before the advent of television, films, or the Internet, radio made the remote immediate and the powerful intimate. —Claire Hoffman, Rolling Stone, 20 Apr. 2025

Tahari enters a licensing deal with IHL Group to produce intimates and sleepwear. —Layla Ilchi, WWD, 6 Sep. 2024

Verb

Last week, Trump intimated that the U.S. could send special operations forces into Mexico to combat criminal enterprises. —Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 2 Feb. 2025

Free trade should reign, the spokesperson intimated, and is wholly focused on bolstering its relationships with other trading partners to guard against unfairness perpetuated by Washington. —Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 21 Apr. 2025