SUGGEST Synonyms: 64 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

suggest

verb

səg-ˈjest

Definition of suggest

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

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

as in to propose

to set before the mind for consideration might I suggest, for an appetizer, our jumbo shrimp cocktail?

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Those people might be on the street or at the next table or just do things that suggest someone who had taken to the very close-quarter casual vibe that presumably is why someone would want to live here in the first place. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 3 July 2026 Cerúndolo went out in the first round at Wimbledon, and analyst Gill Gross suggested that the slipperiness of the grass may have been a factor. — Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 3 July 2026 Newman says probate records and newspaper advertisements suggest pocket-watch production in British America probably dates to the 1760s, perhaps earlier, but almost none of those watches survive with definitive provenance. — Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 3 July 2026 Bryan West The couple's nuptials reportedly will be a multi-day event; The New York Times suggested a smaller gathering of about 100 people will take place July 2, with a much bigger celebration on July 3. — Bryan West, USA Today, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for suggest

Recent Examples of Synonyms for suggest

Verb

Designed for evolving missions The latest award follows an earlier Titan procurement by JIATF-401, indicating continued confidence in the platform.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 July 2026
The motion is unlikely to pass, but indicates how deeply politicized the issue has become.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 7 July 2026

Definition of indicate

Verb

As whole house fans and swamp coolers can suck additional pollutants inside, the department recommends using air purifiers or air conditioners as alternatives when possible.

— Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
Allen also recommends avoiding light grout lines at all costs to prevent a stark contrast.

— Michelle Mastro, The Spruce, 4 July 2026

Definition of recommend

Verb

Recently, the Illinois Register proposed amending the administrative code to update the definitions of the various alcohol categories solely by their production process — not their alcohol content.

— Adam Hoffer, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Officials have not yet set a timeline to bring in a Palestinian technocrat committee to take governance of the enclave from Hamas, and the international force that proposed security infrastructure is yet to materialize.

— Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 5 July 2026

Definition of propose

Verb

Barclays in June raised its year-end target for the S&P 500 to 7,800 – implying a gain of 4% across the next six months.

— John Towfighi, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
Many modern brides now wear different outfits for the ceremony and reception, and reporting from Page Six implies that Swift will follow suit.

— Hannah Malach, InStyle, 30 June 2026

Definition of imply

Verb

Enterprises are advised to carefully evaluate these solutions based on ownership, cost, and enforcement, as the industry seeks to standardize this critical layer for AI agent deployment.

— Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
To minimize risks during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) advises incorporating frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas.

— CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 6 July 2026

Definition of advise

Verb

But by that September, Kelce was hinting his efforts had achieved some success.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
Cloud infrastructure has proven to be highly lucrative for hyperscaler peers Amazon, Microsoft and Google, and Zuckerberg has hinted of late that Meta could be headed in that direction.

— Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 2 July 2026

Definition of hint

Verb

In April, authorities say investigators with the California’s Contractors State License Board’s Statewide Investigative Fraud Team discovered online advertisements offering construction services that did not list a contractor license number.

— Jasmine Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
For a few hours, bhajan gatherings offer an escape from those pressures.

— Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 4 July 2026

Definition of offer

Browse Nearby Words

sugary

suggest

suggested

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“Suggest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suggest. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of suggest

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