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 Simple proportions and human-scale spaces don’t just suggest the spirit of a democratic nation. Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025 Nonetheless, this excellent and unlikely cocktail was, astoundingly and as the name suggests, conceived to be enjoyed in the morning. Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 25 Oct. 2025 If your machine-washable curtains have been affected by mold, water damage, fire, or smoke, Adams suggests also getting them professionally laundered by a restoration dry cleaning company. Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2025 Instead of sending flowers, Lockhart’s family suggests donating to The Actors Fund, ProPublica and International Hearing Dog, Inc. Leia Mendoza, Variety, 25 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for suggest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suggest
Verb
  • The two companies remain in talks, although neither company indicated when customers can expect programming to resume.
    Liam Reilly, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Whenever the data clearly indicates that one alternative is superior to all the others — but never before that point — a scientific revolution is likely to follow.
    Big Think, Big Think, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • For care, the brand recommends a gentle machine cycle or hand-washing the dress to clean it, then hanging it to air-dry.
    Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Additionally, Stein recommends using gloves to protect your hands and skin from cleaning solutions.
    Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • My precious Of course, the question of who would keep the ring that Patrick proposed to Kacie with came back up.
    Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Saul Loeb | Afp | Getty Images To help Social Security and Veterans Affairs beneficiaries cope with higher prices, a group of Democratic senators are proposing to increase benefits by $200 per month for six months.
    Lorie Konish, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Futures and prediction markets imply that by early 2026 the policy rate lands modestly lower than today but not back to the zero-rate world.
    Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Confederate statues should be placed in museums as historical artifacts, not remain in parks or other locations that imply honor.
    NPR, NPR, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Drivers are advised to slow down, use caution, and carry winter emergency kits, while outdoor enthusiasts are being warned to prepare for rapidly changing and potentially dangerous weather conditions.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Springer advised his teammates simply to be themselves.
    Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Today, global warming, sea level rise and acidification pose additional threats.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Mitch Trubisky, Josh Allen, Khalil Shakir and Terrel Bernard took a moment to pose in together.
    Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Legendary spymaster Al Pacino finds brilliant tech-head Colin Farrell and recruits him into the CIA, hinting strongly that the young man’s late father was also working for the organization.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Executives hinted that more cuts may be on the way in the new year as the company looks to get leaner, reduce bureaucracy and invest further in AI.
    Annie Palmer, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, or WIC, offers food benefits, breastfeeding services and nutrition education to 65,000 Arkansas women, infants and children younger than five.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2025
  • In an era when multinationals are diversifying away from single-market dependencies, Minister Al-Falih’s remarks made clear that Riyadh wants to anchor that shift — offering predictability, efficiency, and partnership in a volatile world.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Suggest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suggest. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.

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