insinuate

insinuate Definition

in·sinu·ate (in sin′yo̵̅o̅ āt′)

transitive verb -·at′ed, -·at′·ing

to introduce or work into gradually, indirectly, and artfully to insinuate oneself into another's favor
to hint or suggest indirectly; imply

Etymology: < L insinuatus, pp. of insinuare, to introduce by windings and turnings, insinuate < in-, in + sinus, curved surface

intransitive verb

to make insinuations

insinuate Related Forms

in·sin′u·at′·ingly adverb in·sin′ua′·tive adjective in·sin′ua′·tor noun

insinuate Synonyms

To make an indirect hint
imply, suggest, intimate; see hint, mention, propose 1, refer 2.
To introduce slowly or artfully
infuse, instill, ingratiate, slip in, sneak in, worm in, work in, edge in, ease in, insert gradually, infiltrate, inject, maneuver, foist oneself, horn in*, muscle in*; see also instill.
Antonyms push*, dash, crowd. See syn. study at suggest.suggest.

insinuate Usage Examples

Object

spyware: General remarks: I do not insinuate spyware in my programs.
way: The quotations insinuate different ways of making sense of what is happening.
manner: We are aware that some will insinuate all manner of motives.
anything: SCULLY: We're not insinuating anything, sir.
thing: He begins to insinuate things into our life that by and by we begin to accept as common place.
comparison: An article in Le Monde, disgracefully, even tried to insinuate a comparison between the strikes and National Front ideology.

Modifying Another Word

not: General remarks: I do not insinuate spyware in my programs.
n't: And they wo n't insinuate they had sexual relations with your mother the night before, either.
even: I even insinuate that it is our artificial lighting that is actually rotting the fruit on the tree.
often: Pictorial and photographic propaganda: A photograph, picture, or cartoon can often insinuate a derogatory charge more effectively than words.
only: Will not be ignoble and say the harsh thing, but only insinuate it.
also: He also insinuated he knew something about Riku. #8 Axel Organizations VIII.

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