insinuation

noun

in·​sin·​u·​a·​tion (ˌ)in-ˌsin-yə-ˈwā-shən 

-yü-ˈā-

1

: something that is insinuated

especially : a sly, subtle, and usually derogatory utterance

2

: the act or process of insinuating

Synonyms

• imputation
• innuendo

Examples of insinuation in a Sentence

I resent her insinuation that I can't do it without her help.

He criticizes his opponents by insinuation rather than directly.

Recent Examples on the Web

But Johnson brushed off the insinuation that his administration could have better prepared for this outcome. —Nell Salzman, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2025

The empty hallways and classrooms are made menacing and claustrophobic as insinuations, assumptions, and accusations fly. —Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 13 Feb. 2025

Throughout the interview, Ye made provocative insinuations about Jews and money and went on unprovoked tangents. —Aja Romano, Vox, 7 Feb. 2025

But Kennedy has a long, undistinguished record of relying on the work of charlatans to make wild charges, of not correcting the record when he is proven wrong, and then going to find more bad evidence to continue to make the same insinuations. —The Editors, National Review, 31 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1526, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for insinuation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration