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intimate

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noun

intimate

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verb

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of intimate
Adjective
The Colombian musician revisited the 1996 song in an intimate, sing-along style, accompanied by her live band. Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 20 May 2025 The intimate, 10-table restaurant is an ode to local farming, seasonal produce and warm hospitality. Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 20 May 2025
Noun
Tahari enters a licensing deal with IHL Group to produce intimates and sleepwear. Layla Ilchi, WWD, 6 Sep. 2024 Bing Guan | Bloomberg | Getty Images Nike has teamed up with Kim Kardashian’s intimates brand Skims to launch a new line of activewear as the legacy sneaker giant looks to win over more women and better compete with Lululemon, Alo Yoga and Vuori, the companies announced Tuesday. Gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC, 18 Feb. 2025
Verb
From music events with Anderson.Paak, Neil Frances, and BANKS to panel conversations with Deadline and Frieze, to culinary tastings with Quintessa Wines and Lalo Tequila to intimate experiences with Surya Spa. Yola Robert, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025 Parade, the buzzy intimates brand that was acquired in 2023 by Ariela & Associates, is getting into the swimwear business with a size-inclusive collection. Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 23 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for intimate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intimate
Adjective
  • Among the close friends and family celebrating were Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban.
    Rachel Flynn, People.com, 24 May 2025
  • After the close, discount retailer Miniso Group (9896 HK, MSO US) missed Q1 estimates while online travel agency Tongcheng (780 HK) beat analyst expectations for Q1.
    Brendan Ahern, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
Adjective
  • Steve Madden, based in Long Island City, New York, said Adidas sued it twice in 2002 to challenge footwear with two parallel stripes and four parallel stripes, leading to a confidential settlement the next year.
    Jonathan Stempel, USA Today, 23 May 2025
  • But less attention is paid to the trades of executive branch employees and congressional aides whose work could give them access to confidential information likely to influence markets once made public.
    Robert Faturechi, ProPublica, 22 May 2025
Noun
  • When playing with friends or business associates, which is mostly the way the president plays the game, all sorts of favor-trading can prevail.
    Matthew Purdy, New York Times, 17 May 2025
  • Planning a craft night with friends is a fun way to destress and try something new (not to mention a way to shake up routine happy hours or game nights!).
    Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • Discoveries indicate that coffee has significant antimicrobial properties that are effective against a range of bacterial, fungal, and viral pathogens in agriculture.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 18 May 2025
  • Currently, there is no data indicating the containment progress of the fire and its cause has not yet been determined.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 18 May 2025
Adjective
  • Some of this uncertainty is coming from familiar sources, and some from new developments.
    Amanda Tickel, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
  • With three birdies also added on the card, Scheffler walked into the clubhouse with a familiar position on the leaderboard at a major.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2025
Adjective
  • The center, which does not receive government funding, relies solely on private donations to keep their programs and facility up and running.
    Toria Sheffield, People.com, 26 May 2025
  • The museums are typically built in the presidents’ home states with private donations and endowments.
    Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 26 May 2025
Noun
  • The buddy comedy finds Hopps, the police department’s first rabbit cop, working full-time with Wilde, the sly fox and former grifter.
    Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 20 May 2025
  • Photograph: Sabrina Kelly; Getty Images Around the time Smith started working on One Shot, Hay began to suspect that his buddy’s finances were not all in order.
    Kate Knibbs, Wired News, 20 May 2025
Verb
  • Unlike his small-time Israeli rivals, the placards implied, Netanyahu was a savvy statesman who punched above his weight on the international stage, thanks to his unaccented English oratory and ability to inveigle the world’s most powerful people.
    Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 22 May 2025
  • The band sued Brinker International, the parent company of Chili’s Grill & Bar, last July, alleging that the use of the Ill Communication song falsely implied that Beastie Boys endorsed Chili’s.
    Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 22 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Intimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intimate. Accessed 31 May. 2025.

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