INTIMATE Synonyms: 205 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

intimate 1 of 3

adjective

ˈin-tə-mət

Definition of intimate

as in close

closely acquainted intimate friends who can practically finish each other's sentences

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in confidential

not known or meant to be known by the general populace they trusted each other enough to share intimate thoughts

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

intimate

2 of 3

noun

ˈin-tə-mət

as in friend

a person who has a strong liking for and trust in another usually quite aloof in public, he's actually very relaxed with his intimates

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

intimate

3 of 3

verb

ˈin-tə-ˌmāt

as in to indicate

to convey an idea indirectly trying to intimate that there was more going on than anyone knew

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 dry sauna is also a must—and surprisingly big, given the hotel’s fairly intimate size. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026 Yesterday evening, Dua Lipa and Callum Turner stepped out in New York City for an intimate dinner at I Sodi. — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2026

Noun

Violence is tempered by stillness, terror slips into wonder and the intimate expands into the infinite. — Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 The viral swimsuit is available in 20 different colors, ranging from sizes XS to XL, and that's not the only swim offering this intimates brand offers. — Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 24 June 2026

Verb

Berry’s fiancé Van Hunt treated her to intimate dinners, boat rides, and wine tastings. — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Aug. 2026 From scenic tours of national parks to intimate ranch experiences, this is your opportunity to embrace the rugged charm, raw beauty, and unforgettable adventure of the American West. — Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for intimate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for intimate

Adjective

His closest competitor, Chris Brown, sang about navigating teenage love.

— Clover Hope, Pitchfork, 25 Oct. 2026
Here’s a closer look at where those marks rank in UM history.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of close

Adjective

In April, a US Army soldier was arrested and charged with using confidential information to make $410,000 in Polymarket bets on the timing of the military’s capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

— Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 23 Oct. 2026
Keeping the information confidential was consistent with state protocol, a spokesperson in his department said, adding that it was still shared with local health officials.

— Nat Lash, ProPublica, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of confidential

Noun

But two years ago, Gyles Brandreth, an author and friend of Christopher's, traveled to New York as an emissary of Queen Camilla hoping to arrange an anniversary stay at Buckingham Palace for the 105-year-old fleecy emigres.

— STEVE HENDRIX THE WASHINGTON POST, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
Lee recruited a friend to help move the box to her bedroom, but the setup itself took less than 10 minutes.

— Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of friend

Adjective

The answer is that there are some cases where quantum waves interfere constructively and give rise to a pattern familiar from classical physics.

— Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
For experienced yogis, doing yoga from a chair can offer new ways to explore familiar movements, says Pate, who incorporates a chair into many of her regular yoga classes.

— Jennifer Heimlich, Time, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of familiar

Adjective

In August, Spencer Spirit agreed to buy Hot Topic, BoxLunch and Her Universe from Sycamore Partners, which took Hot Topic private in 2013 for about $600 million.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
The board will also calculate the amount of wealth subject to the tax using publicly available stock information and private assessments of personal property, such as artwork and jewelry.

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

Definition of private

Noun

Here for work the next couple of days and possibly have Wednesday and Thursday night open if my buddy can’t make it into town for work as might have to be in Alabama instead.

— Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Louis-Dreyfus plays Polly Wyeth, a staunch California Republican in the mold of her buddy Nancy Reagan.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of buddy

Verb

Because light obeys a superposition principle even under classical physics, this experimental breakthrough doesn’t imply that Schrödinger’s equation necessarily applies to objects 12,900 kilometers wide.

— Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
But to imply that a world-class athlete is exaggerating an injury to preserve his reputation is a staggering lapse in judgment.

— Matt Calkins OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of imply

Browse Nearby Words

intimacy

intimate

intimated

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Intimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intimate. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of intimate

adjective

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

milieu

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes