insinuation

American  

[in-sin-yoo-ey-shuhn] / ɪnˌsɪn yuˈeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. an indirect or covert suggestion or hint, especially of a derogatory nature.

   She made nasty insinuations about her rivals.

2. covert or artful suggestion or hinting, as of something implied.

   His methods of insinuation are most ingenious.

3. subtle or artful instillment into the mind.

4. the art or power of stealing into the affections and pleasing; ingratiation.

   He made his way by flattery and insinuation.

5. Archaic. a slow winding, worming, or stealing in.

6. Obsolete. an ingratiating act or speech.

---

insinuation British  

/ ɪnˌsɪnjʊˈeɪʃən /

noun

1. an indirect or devious hint or suggestion

2. the act or practice of insinuating

---

Other Word Forms

• preinsinuation
  noun

Etymology

Origin of insinuation

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin insinuātion- (stem of insinuātiō ); see insinuate, -ion

Explanation

An insinuation is a sly way of saying something, usually something insulting. It can also be a way of worming your way into a group or situation. "You're dumb!" is an insult. An insinuation is different: it's a way of indirectly saying something. Insinuation evolved from the Latin insinuationem, meaning "entrance through a narrow way.” So an insinuation is like an insult that sneaks in the back door. Mentioning that your cousin could try harder in school could be an insinuation that your cousin’s lazy. Another kind of insinuation is when someone, often through flattery, gets herself accepted by others. Both kinds of insinuations are sneaky.

Example Sentences

Insinuation, not graphic detail, gives her books an edge of true terror.

From The Guardian • Apr. 28, 2018

Insinuation, montage, and unprovable “facts” are washing millions of brains of their critical faculties.

From Slate • Mar. 19, 2015

Had Mr Temples Friends appeard to be very intimate with him here, the like Insinuation might have been thrown out, & with a similar View, to draw an odious Suspicion on them.

From The Writings of Samuel Adams - Volume 4 by Cushing, Harry Alonzo

Insinuation seems to be not less necessary when the opponent's action has pre-possest the minds of the judges, or when they have been fatigued by the tediousness of the pleading.

From The Training of a Public Speaker by Kleiser, Grenville

I assure you, prince, I was not guilty of the least—" "Insinuation?

From The Idiot by Martin, Eva M.

Related Words

• innuendo