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insinuate

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To insinuate is defined as to suggest or imply something but not come right out and say it.

(verb)

An example of insinuate is when you suggest that you hate your spouse's new coat without coming right out and saying you do.

The definition of insinuate is cleverly and stealthily moving yourself into a specific role or position.

(verb)

An example of insinuate is when you move yourself into your bosses inner circle, subtly getting closer and closer to your boss.

See insinuate in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb insinuated, insinuating

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

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

intransitive verb

to make insinuations

Related Forms:

insinuatingly adverb
insinuative adjective
insinuator noun

See insinuate in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb in·sin·u·at·ed, in·sin·u·at·ing, in·sin·u·ates

verb, transitive

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.

verb, intransitive

To make insinuations.

Origin:

Origin: Latin īnsinuāre, īnsinuāt-

Origin: : in-, in; see in-²

Origin: + sinuāre, to curve (from sinus, curve)

Related Forms:

in·sinˈu·aˌtive adjective

in·sinˈu·aˌtor noun

in·sinˈu·a·torˌy (-yo͞o-ə-tôrˌē, -tōrˌē) adjective

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