INSINUATE Synonyms: 70 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'insinuate' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of insinuate are hint , imply , intimate , and suggest . While all these words mean "to convey an idea indirectly," insinuate applies to the conveying of a usually unpleasant idea in a sly underhanded manner. // insinuated that there were shady dealings

Q: When is 'hint' a more appropriate choice than 'insinuate'?

The meanings of hint and insinuate 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

Q: How are the words 'imply' and 'suggest' related as synonyms of 'insinuate'?

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

Q: When could 'intimate' be used to replace 'insinuate'?

While in some cases nearly identical to insinuate , intimate stresses delicacy of suggestion without connoting any lack of candor. // intimates that there is more to the situation than meets the eye

Q: When can 'suggest' be used instead of 'insinuate'?

The words suggest and insinuate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

insinuate

verb

in-ˈsin-yə-ˌwāt

Definition of insinuate

as in to infiltrate

to introduce in a gradual, secret, or clever way years were needed for the agent to insinuate himself into the terrorist organization

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to imply

to convey an idea indirectly are you insinuating that I won by cheating?

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to insert

to put among or between others quietly insinuated herself among the concertgoers raptly listening to the piano solo

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word insinuate distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of insinuate are hint, imply, intimate, and suggest. While all these words mean "to convey an idea indirectly," insinuate applies to the conveying of a usually unpleasant idea in a sly underhanded manner.

insinuated that there were shady dealings

When is hint a more appropriate choice than insinuate?

The meanings of hint and insinuate 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 insinuate?

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 could intimate be used to replace insinuate?

While in some cases nearly identical to insinuate, intimate stresses delicacy of suggestion without connoting any lack of candor.

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

When can suggest be used instead of insinuate?

The words suggest and insinuate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 insinuate For much of the 1990s and 2000s, Guatemala had been twisting its way toward democracy, but corruption networks and drug traffickers had insinuated themselves into the country’s institutions. — Will Freeman, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2026 Skillfully insinuating actors on the order of Tom Hollander (Treasurer Robert Hales) and Stephen Dillane (Archbishop Sudbury) add some spice to the film’s periodic seminars in court scheming and skulking. — Michael Phillips, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026 That’s how grifters such as Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White, two former NBA players insinuating themselves clumsily into the transgender sports debate, create value. — Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Sprague insinuated that Clancy may have crushed up drugs earlier in the day or days before, but Reddington objected, and the judge agreed with him. — Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for insinuate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for insinuate

Verb

Across the 13-episode first season (critics received three episodes for review), the pair immerse themselves in a newlywed bubble while trying to embrace the chaotic family and friends who orbit them — often infiltrating their private moments.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026
In addition, Homeland Security was apparently investigating nonprofits and other organizations that help get out the vote, including interrogating the staff and covertly infiltrating their operations, according to court documents.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of infiltrate

Verb

The lawsuit is different from previous legal action against the president -- first, in that the plaintiffs are ordinary citizens, shifting the focus from news gatherers to news consumers, and thus implying a much larger pool of stakeholders.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
Trouvé seems drawn to anything that implies a semblance of order and finding ways of shattering it along the way.

— Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of imply

Verb

However, even in situations where YCSE might appear ineligible, there is wiggle room that could allow Seyfried to sneak in.

— Nate Jones, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
For a solid thirty minutes, the candidates defended their honor as the race’s most pro-Israel candidate — at times sneaking in jabs about their opponent.

— Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of sneak

Verb

Even the afternoon’s custom table runners, made from archival fabric by FIT Menswear students, nodded to the designer’s signature ikat print, first introduced in 1983.

— Ariel Bielsky, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026
The first in the ACOTAR series, the romantasy novel introduces us to Feyre Archeron, a human woman who agrees to go live in the fairie realm of Prythian in order to save her family.

— Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of introduce

Verb

When watching the finished film, Howe realized their early life experiences wormed their way into the screenplay, too.

— Angelique Jackson, Variety, 21 Oct. 2026
Over the next several decades, and countless strangulations, Homer and Bart wormed their way into our hearts.

— Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of worm

Verb

The results suggest that manufacturers could shorten a costly production stage without sacrificing the battery performance measured during testing.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026
But a staff report by the Development Review Committee noted that the building is significantly larger in mass and scale than its immediate surroundings and suggested design tweaks to reduce the massing effect.

— Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of suggest

Browse Nearby Words

insincerity

insinuate

insinuated

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“Insinuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insinuate. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of insinuate

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