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• withdrawn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

Cheaper Than Cheep captures Zappa and his Mothers of Invention on June 21, 1974, performing to a small crowd in their intimate Sunset Blvd. —Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 25 Apr. 2025

His best friend Lea Michele was front and center at the cabaret tables on the floor of the intimate theater—renovated to look like a luxe nightclub—before dancing with Groff during his curtain call. —Juan A. Ramírez, Vogue, 25 Apr. 2025

Noun

Aerie, American Eagle’s intimates and activewear line, drove the company’s growth during the quarter with comps up 6%. —Gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2025

Meanwhile, the documentary intimates, penny-pinching and dollar stretching, along with the corner-cutting and risk taking, continues in the world of indie genre cinema. —Joe Leydon, Variety, 12 Mar. 2025

Verb

In My Funny Valentine and Macau Redux, Ho and Taheri are going to tackle comedy, which Taheri is not intimated by. —Karen Chu, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Mar. 2025

During an earnings call Tuesday morning, Target intimated that the duties on Mexico would force it to raise prices on certain produce as soon as this week. —Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 4 Mar. 2025