Synonyms of insinuate

insinuate

verb

in-ˈsin-yə-ˌwāt 

1

as in to infiltrate

to introduce in a gradual, secret, or clever way

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• infiltrate
• insert
• sneak
• worm
• slip
• introduce
• work in
• wind
• wriggle
• creep
• wiggle
• interpose
• interpolate
• edge

2

as in to imply

to convey an idea indirectly

are you insinuating that I won by cheating?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• imply
• indicate
• suggest
• hint
• allude
• infer
• refer
• intimate
• mention
• signify
• point
• signal
• signalize
• smell (of)
• advert
• smack (of)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• declare
• explain
• announce
• proclaim
• describe
• elucidate
• spell out
• delineate

3

as in to insert

to put among or between others

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• insert
• introduce
• interject
• inject
• interpolate
• fit (in or into)
• add
• interpose
• work in
• sandwich (in or between)
• intersperse
• weave
• intercalate
• edge in
• cut in
• install
• shove
• thrust
• inset
• wedge
• attach
• append
• lard
• inlay
• interline
• interfile
• cram

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• eliminate
• exclude
• extract
• withdraw
• deduct
• expel
• subtract
• eject
• reject
• detach

Synonym Chooser

How is the word insinuate distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of insinuate are hint, imply, intimate, and suggest. While all these words mean "to convey an idea indirectly," insinuate applies to the conveying of a usually unpleasant idea in a sly underhanded manner.

insinuated that there were shady dealings

When is hint a more appropriate choice than insinuate?

The meanings of hint and insinuate largely overlap; however, hint implies the use of slight or remote suggestion with a minimum of overt statement.

hinted that she might get the job

How are the words imply and suggest related as synonyms of insinuate?

Imply is close to suggest but may indicate a more definite or logical relation of the unexpressed idea to the expressed.

measures implying that bankruptcy was imminent

When could intimate be used to replace insinuate?

While in some cases nearly identical to insinuate, intimate stresses delicacy of suggestion without connoting any lack of candor.

intimates that there is more to the situation than meets the eye

When can suggest be used instead of insinuate?

The words suggest and insinuate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, suggest may stress putting into the mind by association of ideas, awakening of a desire, or initiating a train of thought.

a film title that suggests its subject matter

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of insinuate

Russian officials have repeatedly insinuated that Moscow could orchestrate attacks against members of the NATO military alliance, in response to their support of Ukraine throughout the war. —John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025

Where another artist might rely on grotesque specifics to frighten the reader, Mignola’s insinuating expanses of black ink conceal all but the most necessary details of a rich and malevolent world, filled with monstrosities, yes, but also oddities, many of them delightful. —Sam Thielman, New York Times, 20 Jan. 2025

Democrats spent a lot of time insinuating that Hegseth doesn’t want women to serve in combat. —Nicole Russell, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2025

Staying long after the funeral, the seemingly benign Jérémie begins to casually insinuate himself into his late mentor’s family. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 Jan. 2025

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