IMPLY Synonyms: 24 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of imply are hint , insinuate , intimate , and suggest . While all these words mean "to convey an idea indirectly," 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 is it sensible to use 'hint' instead of 'imply'?

The words hint and imply are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, hint implies the use of slight or remote suggestion with a minimum of overt statement. // hinted that she might get the job

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

The synonyms insinuate and imply are sometimes interchangeable, 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 'intimate' be used to replace 'imply'?

Although the words intimate and imply have much in common, intimate stresses delicacy of suggestion without connoting any lack of candor. // intimates that there is more to the situation than meets the eye

Q: Where would 'suggest' be a reasonable alternative to 'imply'?

While in some cases nearly identical to imply , 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

verb

im-ˈplī

Definition of imply next

as in to indicate

to convey an idea indirectly they may have implied that they'd help, but they didn't actually say so

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word imply distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of imply are hint, insinuate, intimate, and suggest. While all these words mean "to convey an idea indirectly," 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 is it sensible to use hint instead of imply?

The words hint and imply are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, hint implies the use of slight or remote suggestion with a minimum of overt statement.

hinted that she might get the job

When can insinuate be used instead of imply?

The synonyms insinuate and imply are sometimes interchangeable, but insinuate applies to the conveying of a usually unpleasant idea in a sly underhanded manner.

insinuated that there were shady dealings

When could intimate be used to replace imply?

Although the words intimate and imply have much in common, intimate stresses delicacy of suggestion without connoting any lack of candor.

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

Where would suggest be a reasonable alternative to imply?

While in some cases nearly identical to imply, 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 imply The neutrino itself was not observed directly; rather, its existence was implied from the detection of another particle called a muon, which lit up one of the two particle detectors on February 13, 2023. —

Tom Hawking, Popular Science, 12 Feb. 2025 In interviews with Homicide Unit Detective Jeffrey Jensen, Clark implied that Evans was the shooter early on the morning of Oct. 12, 2024, at the La Gran Plaza scene, according to affidavits Jensen wrote supporting the arrests of both suspects. —

Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Feb. 2025 Reichert was also cautious to note their study does not imply caffeine consumption damages cognitive functioning. —

New Atlas, 11 Feb. 2025 Goldman Sachs economists have estimated that across-the-board tariffs on Canada and Mexico would imply a 0.7% increase in core inflation and a 0.4% hit to gross domestic product. —

Suzanne McGee and Isla Binnie, USA TODAY, 3 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for imply

Recent Examples of Synonyms for imply

Verb

Furthermore, of the two solar cycles encompassed by the 26.5 years' worth of observations, both BISON and GOLF indicated that the cycle with stronger magnetic activity had a greater impact upon the discrepancy in the age measurement.

— Keith Cooper, Space.com, 11 Feb. 2025
The two paintings contain few elements that might signal a tree – a concentration of lines near the center, lines that could be branches or a central trunk and lines that could indicate the ground or a horizon.

— Mitchell Newberry, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2025