Synonyms of insinuate

insinuate

verb

in-ˈsin-yə-ˌwāt 

1

as in to infiltrate

to introduce in a gradual, secret, or clever way

years were needed for the agent to insinuate himself into the terrorist organization

Synonyms & Similar Words

• infiltrate
• insert
• sneak
• worm
• slip
• introduce
• work in
• wind
• wriggle
• creep
• wiggle
• interpose
• interpolate
• edge

2

as in to imply

to convey an idea indirectly

are you insinuating that I won by cheating?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• imply
• indicate
• suggest
• hint
• allude
• infer
• refer
• intimate
• mention
• signify
• point
• signal
• signalize
• smell (of)
• advert
• smack (of)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• declare
• explain
• announce
• proclaim
• describe
• elucidate
• spell out
• delineate

3

as in to insert

to put among or between others

quietly insinuated herself among the concertgoers raptly listening to the piano solo

Synonyms & Similar Words

• insert
• introduce
• interject
• inject
• interpolate
• fit (in or into)
• add
• interpose
• work in
• sandwich (in or between)
• intersperse
• weave
• intercalate
• edge in
• cut in
• install
• shove
• thrust
• inset
• wedge
• attach
• append
• lard
• inlay
• interline
• interfile
• cram

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• eliminate
• exclude
• extract
• withdraw
• deduct
• expel
• subtract
• eject
• reject
• detach

Synonym Chooser

How is the word insinuate distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of insinuate are hint, imply, intimate, and suggest. While all these words mean "to convey an idea indirectly," insinuate applies to the conveying of a usually unpleasant idea in a sly underhanded manner.

insinuated that there were shady dealings

When is hint a more appropriate choice than insinuate?

The meanings of hint and insinuate 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 are the words imply and suggest related as synonyms of insinuate?

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 could intimate be used to replace insinuate?

While in some cases nearly identical to insinuate, intimate stresses delicacy of suggestion without connoting any lack of candor.

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

When can suggest be used instead of insinuate?

The words suggest and insinuate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

Recent Examples of insinuate

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

Staying long after the funeral, the seemingly benign Jérémie begins to casually insinuate himself into his mentor’s family, including his kind-hearted widow (Catherine Frot) and venomously angry son (Jean-Baptiste Durand), while befriending an oddly cheerful local priest (Jacques Develay). —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 21 Mar. 2025

Those moments of naturalism work better than many of the shots taking place outside of the car, which often use glaringly heavy-handed lighting to insinuate who we’re supposed to see as good and evil. —Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 21 Mar. 2025

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