insinuation

[ in-sin-yoo-ey-shuhn ]

noun

1. an indirect or covert suggestion or hint, especially of a derogatory nature:

   She made nasty insinuations about her rivals.

2. covert or artful suggestion or hinting, as of something implied:

   His methods of insinuation are most ingenious.

3. subtle or artful instillment into the mind.
4. the art or power of stealing into the affections and pleasing; ingratiation:

   He made his way by flattery and insinuation.

5. Archaic. a slow winding, worming, or stealing in.
6. Obsolete. an ingratiating act or speech.

insinuation

/ ɪnˌsɪnjʊˈeɪʃən /

noun

1. an indirect or devious hint or suggestion
2. the act or practice of insinuating

Other Words From

• prein·sinu·ation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of insinuation¹

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

Example Sentences

This insinuation is categorically false and is not supported by any finding in the Attorney General’s investigation.

From 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.

From 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.

From 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.

From Washington Post

Any insinuation to the contrary is false — and an insult to her integrity.

From ProPublica

But the insinuation that it contains an inherent nefarious motive is simply a means of dismissing the content.

From The Daily Beast

Technically true, but highly misleading in its insinuation that American jobs are being moved overseas.

From The 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.”

From The Daily Beast

Its insinuation into the economy of Iran had been widely observed for years.

From The Daily Beast

Power, and inherited influence, and exalted social position have a deadly insinuation.

From Project Gutenberg

Reputations for courage and audacity have thus been hourly established by the careful insinuation of hideous expletives.

From Project Gutenberg

I saw in one journal an insinuation that the incidents in the preliminary narrative were possibly without foundation.

From Project Gutenberg

She was thinking of his insinuation at Marshall Dean's expense.

From Project Gutenberg

He bridled up at the word "illiterate," and repudiated the vile insinuation.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• innuendo