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insinuate

verb
in·​sin·​u·​ate | \ in-ˈsin-yə-ˌwāt How to pronounce insinuate (audio) , -yü-ˌāt\
insinuated; insinuating

Definition of insinuate

transitive verb

1a : to impart or suggest in an artful or indirect way : imply I resent what you're insinuating.
b : to introduce (something, such as an idea) gradually or in a subtle, indirect, or covert way insinuate doubts into a trusting mind
2 : to introduce (someone, such as oneself) by stealthy, smooth, or artful means

intransitive verb

1 archaic : to enter gently, slowly, or imperceptibly : creep
2 archaic : to ingratiate oneself
Other Words from insinuate Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym When to Use Insinuate More Example Sentences Learn More about insinuate

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Other Words from insinuate

insinuative \ in-​ˈsin-​yə-​ˌwā-​tiv How to pronounce insinuative (audio) , -​yü-​ˌā-​ \ adjective
insinuator \ in-​ˈsin-​yə-​ˌwā-​tər How to pronounce insinuator (audio) , -​yü-​ˌā-​ \ noun

Choose the Right Synonym for insinuate

introduce, insert, insinuate, interpolate, intercalate, interpose, interject mean to put between or among others. introduce is a general term for bringing or placing a thing or person into a group or body already in existence. introduced a new topic into the conversation insert implies putting into a fixed or open space between or among. inserted a clause in the contract insinuate implies introducing gradually or by gentle pressure. insinuated himself into the group interpolate applies to the inserting of something extraneous or spurious. interpolated her own comments into the report intercalate suggests an intrusive inserting of something in an existing series or sequence. new chapters intercalated with the old interpose suggests inserting an obstruction or cause of delay. interpose barriers to communication interject implies an abrupt or forced introduction. interjected a question

suggest, imply, hint, intimate, insinuate 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 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 hint implies the use of slight or remote suggestion with a minimum of overt statement. hinted that she might get the job intimate stresses delicacy of suggestion without connoting any lack of candor. intimates that there is more to the situation than meets the eye insinuate applies to the conveying of a usually unpleasant idea in a sly underhanded manner. insinuated that there were shady dealings

When to Use Insinuate

The meaning of insinuate is similar to that of another verb, suggest. Whether you suggest or insinuate something, you are conveying an idea indirectly. But although these two words share the same basic meaning, each gets the idea across in a different way. When you suggest something, you put it into the mind by associating it with other ideas, desires, or thoughts. You might say, for example, that a book's title suggests what the story is about. The word insinuate, on the other hand, usually includes a sense that the idea being conveyed is unpleasant, or that it is being passed along in a sly or underhanded way ("She insinuated that I cheated").

Examples of insinuate in a Sentence

years were needed for the agent to insinuate himself into the terrorist organization are you insinuating that I won by cheating?

Recent Examples on the Web

 To insinuate that women must create a demand before the UCI steps in to supply equal visibility is backward, sexist, and just plain wrong. — Kathryn Bertine, Outside Online, "It's Time for Pro Cycling to Treat Women Equally," 22 Aug. 2019 But a post shared on Twitter over the weekend by CCTV, the state broadcaster, took the criticism to a whole new level by insinuating that actions by Hong Kong protesters were on par with the violence of Germany’s Nazis. — Mary Hui, Quartz, "China’s state media compared Hong Kong’s protests to the Holocaust," 19 Aug. 2019 Though this corner of Lolla world is notorious for its wall-to-wall EDM thump, Clozee went for insinuating grooves and melodic nuance. — Kevin Williams, chicagotribune.com, "Lollapalooza 2019: Things we loved, 1 band we didn’t and a mayor sighting on day 1," 1 Aug. 2019 Samardzija has insinuated himself into the trade discussion, if the Giants choose to sell, with three excellent starts in July, totaling four earned runs in 21 ⅔ innings, a 1.66 ERA Marquez pitched better than his line - a wee bit. — Henry Schulman, SFChronicle.com, "Giants embarrass Rockies at Coors — eight RBIs for Brandon Crawford in 19-2 rout," 15 July 2019 Abby has been obsessed with Elise for years, and seizes the opportunity to insinuate herself into every corner of her prodigal friend’s life. — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, "Female Friendships Are the Best, Until They Aren't," 20 June 2019 Courtesy of TIFF Moore goes after everyone close to the president, even insinuating early on that there is something very inappropriate about his relationship with his daughter Ivanka. — Alissa Wilkinson, Vox, "In Fahrenheit 11/9, Michael Moore spares no one — especially self-satisfied liberals," 7 Sep. 2018 In fact, that train running through tunnels deep below ground was just the first of several surreal elements insinuated into this work of historical fiction that drew on horrors from centuries of America’s troubled past. — Ron Charles, Twin Cities, "Colson Whitehead’s ‘Nickel Boys’ shreds confidence in the triumph of goodness," 4 Aug. 2019 Rams coach Sean McVay insinuated that Gurley would likely miss some of the training camp practices, being put on a more veteran schedule. — Matt Szabo, Daily Pilot, "Los Angeles Rams open training camp at UC Irvine," 27 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'insinuate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of insinuate

1529, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1b

History and Etymology for insinuate

Latin insinuatus, past participle of insinuare, from in- + sinuare to bend, curve, from sinus curve

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More Definitions for insinuate

insinuate

verb
How to pronounce insinuate (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of insinuate

: to say (something, especially something bad or insulting) in an indirect way
formal : to gradually make (yourself) a part of a group, a person's life, etc., often by behaving in a dishonest way

See the full definition for insinuate in the English Language Learners Dictionary

insinuate

verb
in·​sin·​u·​ate | \ in-ˈsin-yə-ˌwāt How to pronounce insinuate (audio) \
insinuated; insinuating

Kids Definition of insinuate

1 : hint entry 2,

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