implied

[im-plahyd]

adjective

1. involved, indicated, or suggested without being directly or explicitly stated; tacitly understood.

   an implied rebuke; an implied compliment.

implied

/ ɪmˈplaɪd, ɪmˈplaɪɪdlɪ /

adjective

1. hinted at or suggested; not directly expressed

   an implied criticism

Other Word Forms

• impliedly adverb
• unimplied adjective
• well-implied adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of implied¹

First recorded in 1520–30; imply + -ed ²

Example Sentences

In the Puck interview, Michaels implied the show wasn’t going to back down, and when he was asked whether political comedy will be tougher in the current climate, Michaels said no.

From Los Angeles Times

At the same time, the activity in the town belies the desolation implied by building data that show only 30% of destroyed homes have been replaced.

From Los Angeles Times

What ultimately keeps them — and our system — safe is our collective belief that, even if imperfect, it has rules, stated and implied.

From Los Angeles Times

Her husband doesn’t hate women, the images implied — just the ones that talk back to men.

From Salon

Kimmel's suspension came after he implied the suspect accused of shooting Charlie Kirk was a conservative, even after Utah officials had said the alleged gunman was "indoctrinated with leftist ideology".

From BBC

Related Words

• hidden 
• implicit 
• indirect 
• latent 
• lurking 
• tacit 
• unspoken