1
as in to indicate
to convey an idea indirectly this letter suggests that there's more going on than she's telling us

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to recommend
to put (something) forward as one's choice for a wise or proper course of action I suggested that they talk to a therapist about their marital problems

Synonyms & Similar Words

3

Synonym Chooser

How is the word suggest distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of suggest are hint, imply, insinuate, and intimate. While all these words 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

In what contexts can hint take the place of suggest?

The meanings of hint and suggest 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 do imply and suggest relate to one another?

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

Where would insinuate be a reasonable alternative to suggest?

While in some cases nearly identical to suggest, insinuate applies to the conveying of a usually unpleasant idea in a sly underhanded manner.

insinuated that there were shady dealings

When might intimate be a better fit than suggest?

In some situations, the words intimate and suggest are roughly equivalent. However, intimate stresses delicacy of suggestion without connoting any lack of candor.

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

Examples 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 suggest Other scholarship has similarly suggested that excluding Chinese labor failed to lift the fortunes of white workers. Michael Luo, The New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2025 But there are also stirrings suggesting that Americans’ ancient impulses for self-organizing, public-minded work remain potent. Harry Boyte and Trygve Throntveit, TIME, 4 Jan. 2025 This suggests the recent hit to shares could be overblown. Pia Singh, CNBC, 4 Jan. 2025 But that he’s earned Berube’s trust in a short amount of time suggests Myers will continue to be relied upon through this season and beyond. Myers’ addition suggests there will be a battle for bottom-pair jobs throughout the remainder of this season and in training camp come September as well. Joshua Kloke, The Athletic, 4 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for suggest 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suggest
Verb
  • Musk wrote in a post on X. Robinson's real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, reports indicate.
    Alex Nitzberg, Fox News, 6 Jan. 2025
  • According to the sheriff’s office, preliminary information indicated the Charger might have been stolen from Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin.
    Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The State Elections Enforcement Commission spent roughly three months investigating those allegations before deciding Tuesday there is enough evidence to recommend Castillo for criminal charges.
    Andrew Brown, Hartford Courant, 9 Jan. 2025
  • In addition to their agents, players often rely on their teammates to recommend the best vehicle transportation solutions.
    Melissa Lockard, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The following year, MrBeast told Booysen of his plans to propose.
    Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 1 Jan. 2025
  • The beautiful young man of the title becomes captivated by a hedonistic philosophy proposing that the only things worth living for are beauty and sensual pleasure.
    Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times, 1 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The incident implied that lawmakers were complicit in the development and deployment of Lumon’s technology, which is controversial among the general public.
    Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2025
  • Does this imply that the labor market will remain solid throughout 2025?
    Harry Holzer, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • What's Next Residents in the affected areas are advised to monitor local news outlets and official school district communications for the latest updates on closures and weather conditions.
    Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025
  • Anyone suffering nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain after eating mushrooms should seek emergency medical treatment, officials advised.
    Don Sweeney, Sacramento Bee, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • This shift not only affects aspiring managers, but also poses significant challenges for existing leaders and their teams, potentially leading to a cascade of consequences throughout organizations.
    Jack Kelly, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
  • Share [Findings] AI researchers determined that large language models pose no existential threat to humanity and created an AI algorithm that can detect scientific articles written by other AI algorithms.
    Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The 36-year-old actor also hinted that a return in the future isn’t off the table.
    Monica Mercuri, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
  • The Fed began cutting its main interest rate in September to give the economy a boost, but it’s hinted a slowdown in easing is coming.
    Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Many RSNs have begun to offer streaming alternatives to fans who have cut the cord, or who see their channels dropped by their provider.
    Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Dec. 2024
  • Chinese defense experts believe that these technologies will offer the PLA the best chance to equal, or surpass, the warfighting capacity of the U.S. armed forces.
    Sam Bresnick, Foreign Affairs, 31 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near suggest

Cite this Entry

“Suggest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suggest. Accessed 15 Jan. 2025.

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