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 appearance of his name in the files does not imply criminal activity of any kind.

From BBC

“We expect the policy rate to be left unchanged at 1.75%, and the rate path to remain intact from the December report, implying an unchanged policy rate throughout most of 2026.”

From The Wall Street Journal

His remarks implied some council officers were reluctant to act on wishes of the elected leadership.

From BBC

"China often threatens or implies retaliation -- what is often unclear," the diplomat said.

From Barron's

Until recently, long-dated oil futures hadn’t risen by much, implying that investors were pricing in a short conflict.

From Barron's

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