suggest
Americanverb (used with object)
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suggests,
present (3rd person singular)
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suggested,
past participle, past
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suggesting
present participle
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to mention or introduce (an idea, proposition, plan, etc.) for consideration or possible action.
The architect suggested that the building be restored.
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to propose (a person or thing) as suitable or possible for some purpose.
We suggested him for president.
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(of things) to prompt the consideration, making, doing, etc., of.
The glove suggests that she was at the scene of the crime.
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to bring before a person's mind indirectly or without plain expression.
I didn't tell him to leave, I only suggested it.
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to call (something) up in the mind through association or natural connection of ideas.
The music suggests a still night.
verb
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to put forward (a plan, idea, etc) for consideration
I suggest Smith for the post
a plan suggested itself
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to evoke (a person, thing, etc) in the mind of someone by the association of ideas
that painting suggests home to me
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to give an indirect or vague hint of
his face always suggests his peace of mind
Synonym Usage
See hint.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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suggestednessnoun
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suggesternoun
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presuggestverb (used with object)
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unsuggestedadjective
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unsuggestingadjective
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suggestinglyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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suggestsimple
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suggestssimple
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have suggestedperfect
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has suggestedperfect
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am suggestingprogressive
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are suggestingprogressive
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is suggestingprogressive
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have been suggestingperfect progressive
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has been suggestingperfect progressive
Past
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suggestedsimple
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had suggestedperfect
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was suggestingprogressive
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were suggestingprogressive
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had been suggestingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of suggest
First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin suggestus (past participle of suggerere “to build up, supply, hint, suggest”), equivalent to sug- sug- + ges- (past participle stem of gerere “to carry, do, display”) + -tus past participle suffix
Explanation
To suggest is to propose or hint. If you suggest going out for ice cream, nobody's going to object. If you suggest that your sister should get the frozen yogurt instead, she might think you are suggesting something about her weight. The verb suggest is also used when people speak about scientific research. Experimental results are often used to suggest whether a theory might be correct. For example, if a patient takes a new drug and starts feeling better, that will suggest the drug is working. Suggest can also mean to drop a hint. If you find a polite way to suggest that the pot roast is inedible, you don't come out and declare it directly. You wouldn't want to hurt Mom's feelings.
Vocabulary lists containing suggest
The SAT: Language of the Test, List 2
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The Language of Standardized Tests, List 1
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PARCC: Language of the Test (Grade7)
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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.
See Examples For:
And that’s what makes this debate about AI ordering feel more consequential than the technology itself might initially suggest.
From Salon ● Oct. 11, 2026
Against the Cherries though, Caicedo and Henderson provided the balance to suggest Alonso could finally have found an answer - despite still having to wait for their first clean sheet of the league campaign.
From BBC ● Oct. 10, 2026
Proponents of max-cushion shoes, particularly those with an embedded carbon plate, point to studies that suggest the shoes improve running economy and performance by 4% and 2%, respectively.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 10, 2026
Together, the patterns suggest that people diagnosed with depression may experience substantially different changes in how their brain networks operate.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 9, 2026
"The words suggest we not fling our arms about or speak loudly," Allun remarked.
From "Rowan of Rin" by Emily Rodda
The Met Office has said the current seasonal outlook suggests an increased likelihood of wetter than average conditions during autumn, in part due to the El Niño weather event.
From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2026
It suggests demand is outrunning what suppliers can make, a dynamic that higher interest rates are supposed to tamp down.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 11, 2026
The antibacterial activity of prehistoric birch tar suggests that ancient materials and traditional medicinal practices may deserve closer scientific investigation.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 11, 2026
To avoid falling victim to roofing scams, Citizens Advice suggests:
From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2026
“We should take something over to the new neighbors, to welcome them,” Mama suggests.
From "Zara’s Rules for Record-Breaking Fun" by Hena Khan
But he allowed continued livestreaming of the proceedings and suggested that any concerns could be addressed during jury selection, including by asking potential jurors about any exposure they had to prediction markets.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 11, 2026
“Everything is on the table for me,” Paxton said when Carlson suggested he should run.
From Salon ● Oct. 11, 2026
Coaches and scouts suggested the young and wiry Martínez might never develop into a pitcher as successful as his brother Ramon, but Claire did not fault them.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 11, 2026
One measurement, known as T1rho, suggested that cartilage in the inner knee deteriorated more slowly among participants who changed their walking pattern.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 11, 2026
Alexander suggested, offering a wooden pointer that seemed about the right length.
From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood
And, for others, there is a certain hubris seen in tech leaders chasing a technology that on one hand promises to make them incredibly wealthy while also suggesting it is only safe within their control.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 11, 2026
Italian police say the actual arrest warrant was only issued on 18 August after he had travelled south and left Poland, suggesting the Germans were not sure their neighbours would co-operate and detain him.
From BBC ● Oct. 10, 2026
Shortly after, Medeiros received a message from Instinct suggesting camping gear.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 8, 2026
The findings also fit with earlier work suggesting that D2 and D3 may not have identical effects beyond their ability to raise vitamin D levels.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 8, 2026
Instead, it’s an Eurg notification suggesting I send a friend request to Lara Van Helsing.
From "Amari and the Night Brothers" by B.B. Alston
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.
