insinuating
Americanadjective
-
tending to instill doubts, distrust, etc.; suggestive.
an insinuating letter.
-
gaining favor or winning confidence by artful means.
an insinuating manner.
Other Word Forms
- half-insinuating adjective
- half-insinuatingly adverb
- insinuatingly adverb
- preinsinuatingly adverb
- uninsinuating adjective
Etymology
Origin of insinuating
First recorded in 1585–95; insinuat(e) + -ing 2
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.
Since the Epstein files release, Pozhidaeva has been contending with social-media posts and blogs insinuating she is a Russian spy.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 15, 2026
He previously noted that the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics were a “guiding star” for his retirement, insinuating that he would likely hang up his racket following the games.
From MarketWatch • Jan. 12, 2026
The congresswoman also triggered a response from the official account of the House Committee on the Judiciary, chaired by Republican Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, insinuating that because Miller is Jewish, her comments were antisemitic.
From Salon • Dec. 8, 2025
Not to be outdone, Johnson responded to the poop jet video by somehow insinuating there is an elevated meaning to it.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 21, 2025
A radio with a faulty connection played loud and rasping for a while, then suddenly quiet and insinuating.
From "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
