insinuation

[ in-sin-yoo-ey-shuhn ]

/ ɪnˌsɪn yuˈeɪ ʃən /

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See synonyms for insinuation on Thesaurus.com

noun

an indirect or covert suggestion or hint, especially of a derogatory nature: She made nasty insinuations about her rivals.

covert or artful suggestion or hinting, as of something implied: His methods of insinuation are most ingenious.

subtle or artful instillment into the mind.

the art or power of stealing into the affections and pleasing; ingratiation: He made his way by flattery and insinuation.

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

Obsolete. an ingratiating act or speech.

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of insinuation

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

OTHER WORDS FROM insinuation

pre·in·sin·u·a·tion, noun

Words nearby insinuation

insincere, insincerity, in single file, insinuate, insinuating, insinuation, insipid, insipience, insist, insistence, insistency

How to use insinuation in a sentence

This insinuation is categorically false and is not supported by any finding in the Attorney General’s investigation.
Gloria Allred: HRC prez may be liable if found to have aided in Cuomo cover-up|Chris Johnson|August 12, 2021|Washington Blade
Carlson’s two signature “replacement” rants were heavily laden with insinuations that local culture across the country is getting submerged under a tide of migration.
The hidden scam behind Tucker Carlson and the right’s ‘replacement’ game|Greg Sargent|April 23, 2021|Washington Post
“There was no awareness or insinuations of any type of inappropriate behavior when we became aware of the chatter at the time,” Schmidt told the Times.
Lincoln Project disavows co-founder John Weaver after allegations he made unsolicited sexual overtures to young men|Amy B Wang|January 31, 2021|Washington Post
Rivera has pushed back against any insinuation that Smith was the primary reason for the team’s loss, arguing instead that mistakes were shared by all three phases.
So much has changed since Alex Smith last started for Washington. The offense might, too.|Nicki Jhabvala|November 12, 2020|Washington Post

Any insinuation to the contrary is false — and an insult to her integrity.
Susan Collins Backed Down From a Fight with Private Equity. Now They’re Underwriting Her Reelection.|by Justin Elliott, ProPublica, and Theodoric Meyer, Politico|October 29, 2020|ProPublica
But the insinuation that it contains an inherent nefarious motive is simply a means of dismissing the content.
What We Talk About When We Talk About BDS|Hannah Weisfeld|November 5, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Technically true, but highly misleading in its insinuation that American jobs are being moved overseas.
Is the 2012 Election Finally Breaking Barack Obama’s Way?|Howard Kurtz|November 3, 2012|DAILY BEAST
But now the insinuation is racial: Clinton made those lazy blacks work, and Obama wants to go back to giving them “free stuff.”
Michael Tomasky on Mitt Romney’s Crazy Bill Clinton Gambit|Michael Tomasky|August 9, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Its insinuation into the economy of Iran had been widely observed for years.
Iran's Dangerous Power Vacuum|Gary Sick|November 26, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Power, and inherited influence, and exalted social position have a deadly insinuation.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
Reputations for courage and audacity have thus been hourly established by the careful insinuation of hideous expletives.
A Cursory History of Swearing|Julian Sharman
I saw in one journal an insinuation that the incidents in the preliminary narrative were possibly without foundation.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Vol 58, No. 357, July 1845|Various
She was thinking of his insinuation at Marshall Dean's expense.
Warrior Gap|Charles King
He bridled up at the word "illiterate," and repudiated the vile insinuation.
My New Curate|P.A. Sheehan

British Dictionary definitions for insinuation

insinuation

/ (ɪnˌsɪnjʊˈeɪʃən) /

noun

an indirect or devious hint or suggestion

the act or practice of insinuating

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

insinuation

Origin of insinuation

OTHER WORDS FROM insinuation

Words nearby insinuation

Words related to insinuation

How to use insinuation in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for insinuation