insinuate

verb

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

transitive verb

1
a
: 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
insinuative adjective
insinuator noun

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When to Use Insinuate

Insinuate comes from the Latin root sinuare, meaning "to bend or curve." It is a synonym of imply or suggest; however, insinuate usually conveys something unpleasant is said in a sly or underhanded way.

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

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
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.
As promised, Nessy’s clue package insinuated that NSYNC was a sort of musical competition for Nessy back in the day. Lauren Huff, EW.com, 3 Apr. 2025 That insinuates a real level of self-assurance at an early age. Rachel Handler, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2025 By Liam Reilly | CNN The same day Vivian Jenna Wilson, Elon Musk’s estranged daughter, published her second-ever interview with a media outlet, the billionaire media mogul used his X platform to insinuate trans people are behind reports of attacks on Teslas. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2025 Although prosecutors have named no other suspects and plan to take Read back to trial on April 1, Read and her defense have insinuated that O'Keefe was killed by fellow cops who set up a sprawling conspiracy to frame her for the crime. Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 19 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for insinuate

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1529, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of insinuate was in 1529

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Cite this Entry

“Insinuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insinuate. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

insinuate

verb
in·​sin·​u·​ate in-ˈsin-yə-ˌwāt How to pronounce insinuate (audio)
insinuated; insinuating
1
: to introduce in a gradual, secret, or clever way
insinuated herself into his confidence
2
: to suggest in an indirect way : imply
insinuated that I had cheated
insinuation
(ˌ)in-ˌsin-yə-ˈwā-shən
noun
insinuator noun

More from Merriam-Webster on insinuate

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