insinuate

[ in-sin-yoo-eyt ]

verb (used with object)

, in·sin·u·at·ed, in·sin·u·at·ing.

1. to suggest or hint slyly:

   He insinuated that they were lying.

2. to instill or infuse subtly or artfully, as into the mind:

   to insinuate doubts through propaganda.

   Synonyms: inculcate, inject, introduce

3. to bring or introduce into a position or relation by indirect or artful methods:

   to insinuate oneself into favor.

verb (used without object)

, in·sin·u·at·ed, in·sin·u·at·ing.

1. to make insinuations.

insinuate

/ ɪnˈsɪnjʊˌeɪt /

verb

1. may take a clause as object to suggest by indirect allusion, hints, innuendo, etc
2. tr to introduce subtly or deviously
3. tr to cause (someone, esp oneself) to be accepted by gradual approaches or manoeuvres

Derived Forms

• inˈsinuative, adjective
• inˈsinuˌator, noun

Other Words From

• in·sin·u·a·tive [in-, sin, -yoo-ey-tiv, -yoo-, uh, -], in·sin·u·a·to·ry [in-, sin, -yoo-, uh, -tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], adjective
• in·sinu·ative·ly adverb
• in·sinu·ator noun
• half-in·sinu·ated adjective
• prein·sinu·ate verb preinsinuated preinsinuating
• prein·sinu·ative adjective
• unin·sinu·ated adjective
• unin·sinu·ative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of insinuate¹

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin insinuātus, past participle of insinuāre “to work in, instill.” See in- ², sinuous, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of insinuate¹

C16: from Latin insinuāre to wind one's way into, from in- ² + sinus curve

Synonym Study

See hint.

Example Sentences

In fact, one British optician was actually fined for insinuating that blue light glasses can protect against DES, given that there’s no scientific evidence of this.

From Popular-Science

Gone are the days when the creators of That ’70s Show had to devise elaborate gimmicks and rely on euphemistic slang in order to insinuate that its teenage characters were smoking pot while avoiding network blowback.

From Time

Although Rivera held out the possibility of reaching a long-term agreement with Scherff before the July 15 deadline, he also insinuated the team is prepared to have him play on an $18 million salary.

From Washington Post

Smith said at season’s end that he planned to “take a few weeks” to decide his future in football, but in later interviews he strongly insinuated that he wanted to keep playing.

From Washington Post

We hope that the report — which we have not seen — and those sharing the information would not insinuate to the public that there is a danger present.

From Washington Post

Gutierrez tries unsuccessfully to insinuate that Jay was cheating on Stephanie, suggesting ulterior motives.

From The Daily Beast

It's pretty sick for people to insinuate that I would wax my daughters eyebrows.

From The Daily Beast

Gandhi, he meant to insinuate, was not Indian enough to serve Indians and run the country.

From The Daily Beast

Tait seems to insinuate for all media that it would be better if Amis never came back.

From The Daily Beast

What people were trying to insinuate was that Jess is emblematic of all women, instead of seeing her as one woman.

From The Daily Beast

Both are very charming in Trolus, and he has turned them to good account to insinuate himself or to overcome a difficulty.

From Project Gutenberg

A vague, ridiculous, unfounded sort of jealousy of the Harpers had begun to insinuate itself.

From Project Gutenberg

"How dare you insinuate——" began Murray, and he violently shook the old man by the collar.

From Project Gutenberg

Do you insinuate that I am naturally an object for laughter?

From Project Gutenberg

Her object was to insinuate herself, so to speak, into fortune, by making herself useful to some great person.

From Project Gutenberg