in·sin·u·ate

[in-sin-yoo-eyt] verb, in·sin·u·at·ed, in·sin·u·at·ing.
verb (used with object)
1.
to suggest or hint slyly: He insinuated that they were lying.
2.
to instill or infuse subtly or artfully, as into the mind: to insinuate doubts through propaganda.
3.
to bring or introduce into a position or relation by indirect or artful methods: to insinuate oneself into favor.
verb (used without object)
4.
to make insinuations.

Origin:
1520–30; < Latin insinuātus, past participle of insinuāre to work in, instill. See in-2, sinuous, -ate1

in·sin·u·a·tive [in-sin-yoo-ey-tiv, -yoo-uh-] , in·sin·u·a·to·ry [in-sin-yoo-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] , adjective
in·sin·u·a·tive·ly, adverb
in·sin·u·a·tor, noun
half-in·sin·u·at·ed, adjective
pre·in·sin·u·ate, verb, pre·in·sin·u·at·ed, pre·in·sin·u·at·ing.
pre·in·sin·u·a·tive, adjective
un·in·sin·u·at·ed, adjective
un·in·sin·u·a·tive, adjective


1. See hint. 2. introduce, inject, inculcate.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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World English Dictionary
insinuate (ɪnˈsɪnjʊˌeɪt) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
vb
1.  (may take a clause as object) to suggest by indirect allusion, hints, innuendo, etc
2.  (tr) to introduce subtly or deviously
3.  (tr) to cause (someone, esp oneself) to be accepted by gradual approaches or manoeuvres
 
[C16: from Latin insinuāre to wind one's way into, from in-² + sinus curve]
 
in'sinuative
 
adj
 
in'sinuatory
 
adj
 
in'sinuator
 
n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

insinuate
1526 (implied in insinuation), from L. insinuatus, pp. of insinuare "bring in by windings and curvings, wind one's way into," from in- "in" + sinuare "to wind, bend, curve," from sinus "a curve, winding." Sense of "to introduce tortuously or indirectly" is from 1647.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
Avoid stating opinions or other information that may insinuate a bias.
His enemies insinuate that it was not his political insights that were worth so
  much, but his influence and connections.
This, in no way, is meant to insinuate that the comments received were tallied
  as votes in a referendum.
The agency should not insinuate itself into the market between the actors.
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