insinuate
2 synonyms and 2 antonyms for insinuate, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To hint at something, usually something negative, without stating it outright.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
To hint at something, usually something negative, without stating it outright.
“Are you insinuating that I lied to you?”
How to use insinuate
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
insinuate that
insinuate oneself into
Etymology
From Latin insinuare ("to push in, creep in"), from in- ("in") + sinus ("a curve, fold, bay").
Full origin of insinuate →Frequently asked questions
What does “insinuate” mean?
The word “insinuate” means to hint at something, usually something negative, without stating it outright. In plain terms, to suggest something indirectly, especially something unflattering, or to worm your way into a position.
How do you pronounce “insinuate”?
“Insinuate” is pronounced ihn-SIHN-yoo-ayt (/ɪnˈsɪnjueɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “insinuate” in a sentence?
Here is “insinuate” used in a sentence: “The article insinuated that the mayor had taken bribes.”
What part of speech is “insinuate”?
“Insinuate” is a verb.
Where does the word “insinuate” come from?
The word “insinuate” comes from Latin. From Latin insinuare ("to push in, creep in"), from in- ("in") + sinus ("a curve, fold, bay").
How many meanings does “insinuate” have?
“Insinuate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to hint at something, usually something negative, without stating it outright.
