insinuate

[ in-sin-yoo-eyt ]
See synonyms for: insinuateinsinuatedinsinuatinginsinuative on Thesaurus.com

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.

  1. 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.

Origin of insinuate

1
First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin insinuātus, past participle of insinuāre “to work in, instill.” See in-2, sinuous, -ate1

synonym study For insinuate

1. See hint.

Other words for insinuate

Other words from insinuate

  • in·sin·u·a·tive [in-sin-yoo-ey-tiv, -yoo-uh-], /ɪnˈsɪn yuˌeɪ tɪv, -yu ə-/, in·sin·u·a·to·ry [in-sin-yoo-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], /ɪnˈsɪn yu əˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/, 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, pre·in·sin·u·at·ed, pre·in·sin·u·at·ing.
  • pre·in·sin·u·a·tive, adjective
  • un·in·sin·u·at·ed, adjective
  • un·in·sin·u·a·tive, adjective

Words Nearby insinuate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use insinuate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for insinuate

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

  1. (tr) to cause (someone, esp oneself) to be accepted by gradual approaches or manoeuvres

Origin of insinuate

1
C16: from Latin insinuāre to wind one's way into, from in- ² + sinus curve

Derived forms of insinuate

  • insinuative or insinuatory, adjective
  • insinuator, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012