insinuate definition | Dictionary.com

Synonyms

edge, foist, infiltrate, wind, work, worm, imply, intimate, suggest, allude, hint, implant

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insinuate - 6 dictionary results

in⋅sin⋅u⋅ate

[in-sin-yoo-eyt]

verb, -at⋅ed, -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; < L insinuātus, ptp. of insinuāre to work in, instill. See in- ² , sinuous, -ate ¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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in·sin·u·ate   (ĭn-sĭn'yōō-āt') Pronunciation Key
v.   in·sin·u·at·ed, in·sin·u·at·ing, in·sin·u·ates

v.   tr.

To introduce or otherwise convey (a thought, for example) gradually and insidiously. See Synonyms at suggest.
To introduce or insert (oneself) by subtle and artful means.

v. intr.
To make insinuations.

[Latin īnsinuāre, īnsinuāt- : in-, in; see in-² + sinuāre, to curve (from sinus, curve).]

in·sin'u·a'tive adj., in·sin'u·a'tor n., in·sin'u·a·tor'y (-yōō-ə-tôr'ē, -tōr'ē) adj.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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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, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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insinuate
verb
1.	introduce or insert (oneself) in a subtle manner; "He insinuated himself into the conversation of the people at the nearby table"
2.	give to understand; "I insinuated that I did not like his wife" [syn: intimate]

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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Insinuate

In*sin"u*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Insinuated; p. pr. & vb. n. Insinuating.] [L. insinuatus, p. p. of insinuareto insinuate; pref. in- in + sinus the bosom. See Sinuous.]

1. To introduce gently or slowly, as by a winding or narrow passage, or a gentle, persistent movement.

The water easily insinuates itself into, and placidly distends, the vessels of vegetables. --Woodward.

2. To introduce artfully; to infuse gently; to instill.

All the art of rhetoric, besides order and clearness, are for nothing else but to insinuate wrong ideas, move the passions, and thereby mislead the judgment. --Locke.

Horace laughs to shame all follies and insinuates virtue, rather by familiar examples than by the severity of precepts. --Dryden.

3. To hint; to suggest by remote allusion; -- often used derogatorily; as, did you mean to insinuate anything?

4. To push or work (one's self), as into favor; to introduce by slow, gentle, or artful means; to ingratiate; -- used reflexively.

He insinuated himself into the very good grace of the Duke of Buckingham. --Clarendon.

Syn: To instill; hint; suggest; intimate.

Insinuate

In*sin"u*ate\, v. i. 1. To creep, wind, or flow in; to enter gently, slowly, or imperceptibly, as into crevices.

2. To ingratiate one's self; to obtain access or favor by flattery or cunning.

He would insinuate with thee but to make thee sigh. --Shak.

To insinuate, flatter, bow, and bend my limbs. --Shak.

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