1
as in to indicate
to convey an idea indirectly this letter suggests that there's more going on than she's telling us

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to recommend
to put (something) forward as one's choice for a wise or proper course of action I suggested that they talk to a therapist about their marital problems

Synonyms & Similar Words

3

Synonym Chooser

How is the word suggest distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of suggest are hint, imply, insinuate, and intimate. While all these words 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

In what contexts can hint take the place of suggest?

The meanings of hint and suggest 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 do imply and suggest relate to one another?

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

Where would insinuate be a reasonable alternative to suggest?

While in some cases nearly identical to suggest, insinuate applies to the conveying of a usually unpleasant idea in a sly underhanded manner.

insinuated that there were shady dealings

When might intimate be a better fit than suggest?

In some situations, the words intimate and suggest are roughly equivalent. However, intimate stresses delicacy of suggestion without connoting any lack of candor.

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

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 suggest Related Stories Heading into the weekend, tracking suggested the Demon Slayer would open to $35 million to $40 million; others thought $50 million was far more likely. Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 13 Sep. 2025 The performance against Skyridge suggests that Cherry Creek, owners of five of the last six Class 5A titles, is more than just a juggernaut in a flyover football state. Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 13 Sep. 2025 Another report suggested that this antihistamine reduced virus levels in nasal tissue. Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025 Some counties suggest bond amounts for specific charges. Charlotte Observer, 12 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for suggest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suggest
Verb
  • And many Democrats, who polls indicate still believe in Russiagate in significant numbers, likely clapped.
    Jeremy Lott, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Remember that cognitive difficulty often signals growth, just as physical soreness after exercise indicates muscle development.
    Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Of the three facilities her friend recommended, The Menninger Clinic in Houston was the only one that returned her call.
    Duaa Eldeib, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Others recommend a 50-50 mix of water and white vinegar.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In April 2024, Bill Nelson, the agency's chief at the time, announced NASA would overhaul the MSR strategy after incorporating new ideas proposed by agency research centers, academia and private industry.
    Mike Wall, Space.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • However, the idea is not new, as former Crystal Palace and Bristol City chief executive Phil Alexander, who is now interim CEO of the National League, has proposed it several times in the past — initially in 2003 — without success.
    Matt Slater, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • That implies an attractive 40% upside from current levels.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Leerink's price target of $77 implies shares could surge 119% from Monday's close.
    Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Mendoza advised King to request twice as many; Mendoza had a plan for the others.
    ProPublica, ProPublica, 13 Sep. 2025
  • The players had two weeks off before the Euros, and Bronze was advised to rest.
    Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The first photo in the carousel showed Brooks posing with her arms wrapped around her husband-to-be, flashing her ring as the couple posed for the camera in the black-and-white shot.
    Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
  • That's significant because the Environmental Protection Agency cited it in its attempts to roll back its prior finding that greenhouse gases posed a danger to the US public.
    Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Initially, none of your close friends buy your products or support the idea, but as soon as the business takes off, some of them start asking for discounts or even hinting about potential job opportunities with you.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Jared Allen, an elite pass rusher in his day, spoke out and seemed to hint that McCarthy is better than Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The theater, which opened in October 2007, offers 12,000 square feet of VIP and hospitality areas and 10 dressing rooms, according to the venue's website.
    Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Most available positions are informal, poorly compensated and offer little stability or room for career growth.
    Nir Kshetri, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Suggest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suggest. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

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