Synonyms

imply

American

[im-plahy] / ɪmˈplaɪ /

verb (used with object)

implied, implying

to indicate or suggest without being explicitly stated.

His words implied a lack of faith.
(of words) to signify or mean.
to involve as a necessary circumstance.

Speech implies a speaker.

Synonyms:

demand, require
Obsolete. to enfold.

imply British

/ ɪmˈplaɪ /

verb

to express or indicate by a hint; suggest

what are you implying by that remark?
to suggest or involve as a necessary consequence
logic to enable (a conclusion) to be inferred
obsolete to entangle or enfold

"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

Usage

See infer.

Other Word Forms

reimply verb (used with object)
superimply verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of imply

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English implien, emplien, from Middle French emplier, from Latin implicāre; implicate

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The table below shows some of the major stocks with increased implied volatility.

From MarketWatch

The company also provided a full-year outlook that implied an acceleration in sales growth, a sign that the turnaround plan the company launched in August 2025 was taking hold.

From MarketWatch

As its name implies, the Invesco S&P 500 Revenue ETF holds all 500 stocks but weights the companies by revenue rather than by market cap.

From MarketWatch

They matter more where Holyrood arithmetic could force parties to make deals on pacts or coalitions, where manifestos, implying a mandate, form the basis for negotiations.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023