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 The president on Tuesday also suggested that the additional 125 percent reciprocal tax on Beijing, on top of the 20 percent existing tariffs, could be lessened in upcoming days. The Hill Staff, The Hill, 23 Apr. 2025 Trump also suggested the 145% tariff rate on Chinese imports won’t stay that high. Jim Cramer, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2025 The findings suggest dogs aren't just mimicking their owners but are processing words to give contextually appropriate responses. Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025 Studies suggest that earplugs help improve sleep quality by blocking distracting, disruptive, or annoying noise around you. Laura Schober, Health, 23 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for suggest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suggest
Verb
  • McFarland claimed 2,000 tickets were available for the festival, but shared permits indicated that only space for 250 people had been obtained.
    Greta Cross, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Currently, there is no data indicating the containment progress of the fire and its cause remains undetermined.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In the living room, Mock recommends folding blankets, fluffing pillows, and returning any items that have accrued in the space to their rightful homes.
    Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2025
  • The agent automatically compiles comprehensive health summaries for doctors, recommends imaging and laboratory tests, and provides clinical decision support—saving time, reducing paperwork, improving diagnostic accuracy, and enhancing the patient experience.
    Gil Press, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Antitrust enforcers have proposed far-reaching measures designed to quickly open the search market and give new competitors a leg up.
    Jody Godoy, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • One thing is for sure: If the mayor proposes new reductions to the controller’s office, Mejia will make sure the public knows about it.
    David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • These stories imply that this person did this remarkable thing, so anyone else can do it, too.
    Dmitry Malin, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
  • That same year, István Hegedűs, a former politician who had served in parliament alongside Orbán, read an article in a pro-Fidesz newspaper which implied that only the Party’s generosity enabled C.E.U. to stay in Budapest.
    Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Peel Regional Police advised people to check with the airport regarding flight delays. Update 4/24/25 10:44 p.m.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Kross advises readers to take advantage of these resets.
    Anne Sugar, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Especially in the restaurant’s early weeks, Cooper was regularly in the kitchen, working the grill with vigor, occasionally breaking to pose for selfies.
    Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Visitors pose at the site of Osaka’s 1970 World Expo, now a park.
    Hiroko Masuike/The New York Times, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • That doesn’t qualify as a significant move, but the Steelers also spent the weekend hinting strongly that free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers will be signing with the team, which would cross Pittsburgh off the Cousins list.
    Josh Kendall, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
  • Musk has hinted that his involvement with DOGE would be temporary, but would his exit from the public sector be enough of a reprieve for the company's falling stock?
    Charles Singh, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Among its facilities is an underground cafeteria with seating for 300 people, which offers a sense of how many people could be housed there.
    Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 1 May 2025
  • Annie Stafford, 29, lives in Melbourne, Australia, and is the founder of business Ford Wardrobe, which offers courses on how to sew.
    Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Suggest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suggest. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

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