Insinuate — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /in-ˈsin-yə-ˌwāt/ in·sin·u·ate

Meaning & Definition of Insinuate

Insinuate (verb)

  1. to impart or suggest in an artful or indirect way, imply
  2. to introduce (something, such as an idea) gradually or in a subtle, indirect, or covert way
  3. to introduce (someone, such as oneself) by stealthy, smooth, or artful means

Insinuate (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to introduce in a gradual, secret, or clever way

    "years were needed for the agent to insinuate himself into the terrorist organization"

    similar: infiltrate, slip, sneak, wind, work in, worm, wriggle
    related: creep, edge, wiggle, insert, interpolate, interpose, introduce

  2. to convey an idea indirectly

    "are you insinuating that I won by cheating?"

    similar: allude, hint, imply, indicate, infer, intimate, suggest
    related: advert, mention, point, refer, signal, signalize, signify, smack (of), smell (of)
    near: announce, declare, proclaim, elucidate, explain, spell out, delineate, describe

  3. to put among or between others

    "quietly insinuated herself among the concertgoers raptly listening to the piano solo"

    similar: edge in, fit (in or into), inject, insert, intercalate, interject, interpolate, interpose, intersperse, introduce, sandwich (in or between), work in
    related: cut in, inlay, inset, install, interfile, interline, lard, weave, cram, shove, thrust, wedge, add, append, attach
    near: eject, eliminate, exclude, expel, extract, withdraw, deduct, detach, subtract, reject

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Insinuate

The most common words with a similar meaning to Insinuate:

infiltrate, slip, sneak, wind, work in, worm, wriggle, allude, hint, imply, indicate, infer, intimate, suggest, edge in, fit (in or into), inject, insert, intercalate, interject, interpolate, interpose, intersperse, introduce, sandwich (in or between)

Related Words for Insinuate

creep, edge, wiggle, advert, mention, point, refer, signal, signalize, signify, smack (of), smell (of), cut in, inlay, inset, install, interfile, interline, lard, weave, cram, shove, thrust, wedge, add, append, attach

Near Antonyms of Insinuate

announce, declare, proclaim, elucidate, explain, spell out, delineate, describe, eject, eliminate, exclude, expel, extract, withdraw, deduct, detach, subtract, reject

Word Forms of Insinuate

Inflections: insinuated, insinuating

Derived words: insinuative (adjective), insinuator (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Insinuate

Latin insinuatus, past participle of insinuare, from in- + sinuare to bend, curve, from sinus curve

First known use: 1529t

Frequently Asked Questions about Insinuate

What does "Insinuate" mean?

"Insinuate" means to impart or suggest in an artful or indirect way, imply. As a verb, it is defined as: to impart or suggest in an artful or indirect way, imply. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Insinuate"?

Other words for "Insinuate" include infiltrate, slip, sneak, wind, work in, worm, wriggle and allude. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Insinuate" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Insinuate"?

There are 52 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Insinuate". Common alternatives include infiltrate, slip, sneak, wind, work in, worm, wriggle, allude, hint and imply.

How do you use "Insinuate" in a sentence?

Examples of "Insinuate" in a sentence: "years were needed for the agent to insinuate himself into the terrorist organization"; "are you insinuating that I won by cheating?"; "quietly insinuated herself among the concertgoers raptly listening to the piano solo".

Is "Insinuate" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Insinuate" is a verb.

How do you pronounce "Insinuate"?

"Insinuate" is pronounced /in-ˈsin-yə-ˌwāt/ and divided into syllables as in·sin·u·ate.

What is the origin of the word "Insinuate"?

"Insinuate" comes from Latin insinuatus, past participle of insinuare, from in- + sinuare to bend, curve, from sinus curve. First known use: 1529t.

What is another word for "Insinuate" meaning "to introduce in a gradual, secret, or clever way"?

When "Insinuate" (verb) means to introduce in a gradual, secret, or clever way, synonyms include infiltrate, slip, sneak, wind, work in and worm.