insinuate

[ in-sin-yoo-eyt ]
See synonyms for insinuate on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object),in·sin·u·at·ed, in·sin·u·at·ing.
  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.

  1. to bring or introduce into a position or relation by indirect or artful methods: to insinuate oneself into favor.

verb (used without object),in·sin·u·at·ed, in·sin·u·at·ing.
  1. to make insinuations.

Origin of insinuate

1
First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin insinuātus, past participle of insinuāre “to work in, instill.” See in-2, sinuous, -ate1

synonym study For insinuate

1. See hint.

Other words for insinuate

Other words from insinuate

  • in·sin·u·a·tive [in-sin-yoo-ey-tiv, -yoo-uh-], /ɪnˈsɪn yuˌeɪ tɪv, -yu ə-/, in·sin·u·a·to·ry [in-sin-yoo-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], /ɪnˈsɪn yu əˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/, 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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use insinuate in a sentence

  • His enemies persistently insinuated that he was really returning to Spain to support the clericals actively.

    The Philippine Islands | John Foreman
  • Tremerello had insinuated a vile suspicion respecting Angiola; that, in short, she was a spy upon my secret opinions!

  • "You have a good many friends interested in your affairs, Mr. Guarez," insinuated the captain.

  • I insinuated it again a minute later, but after that, noticing the way in which she came back to the aunt again, I forbore.

  • The matter that has insinuated itself into the paper extends it, and increases its volume.

    Plotinos: Complete Works, v. 3 | Plotinos (Plotinus)

British Dictionary definitions for insinuate

insinuate

/ (ɪnˈsɪnjʊˌeɪt) /


verb
  1. (may take a clause as object) to suggest by indirect allusion, hints, innuendo, etc

  2. (tr) to introduce subtly or deviously

  1. (tr) to cause (someone, esp oneself) to be accepted by gradual approaches or manoeuvres

Origin of insinuate

1
C16: from Latin insinuāre to wind one's way into, from in- ² + sinus curve

Derived forms of insinuate

  • insinuative or insinuatory, adjective
  • insinuator, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012