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

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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

Examples of imply in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Recent Examples on the Web At a 30x earnings multiple, that would imply an additional valuation of about $4.5 trillion for Alphabet. —

Trefis Team, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024 By 2011, Trump was already fueling birtherism, falsely implying President Obama wasn’t born in the U.S. —

Paola Ramos, TIME, 23 Oct. 2024 That implies 1,300 hotel rooms, packing the luggage, unpacking the luggage, putting on the makeup, taking off the makeup, doing the press conferences. —

Jonathan Cohen, SPIN, 22 Oct. 2024 This take on the Buddhist concept of bardo — the state between death and rebirth, often colloquially used to imply simply transition from one state to a significant other — was full of wonder. —

Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for imply

Recent Examples of Synonyms for imply

Verb

The updating radar map above shows areas of precipitation in green, with greater intensities indicated by yellow and orange.

Bay Area News Group, The Mercury News, 11 Nov. 2024
Android phones, meanwhile, can now use use artificial intelligence to detect motion indicating someone snatched it out of your hand and is racing away on foot or a bike, and then lock the screen immediately.

Kelvin Chan, The Denver Post, 9 Nov. 2024