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:
However, SPI Asset Management's Stephen Innes said the gains did not suggest markets were back in rude health.
From Barron's ● Nov. 10, 2026
These findings suggest that pantethine could potentially serve as an additional treatment for psoriasis, particularly in patients whose cholesterol metabolism may be contributing to inflammation.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 9, 2026
Early indications suggest investors may be willing to momentarily look beyond the week’s potential problems and buy.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 9, 2026
There’s nothing in the update to suggest there is a fundamental issue with the long-term potential of KCGM, he says.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 9, 2026
“Or I don’t have to do the asking. I can just walk over with you,” I suggest.
From "Clairboyance" by Kristiana Kahakauwila
One of the recommendations suggests changes to criminal law to have a standalone "failure to prevent" offence .
From BBC ● Nov. 10, 2026
This discovery suggests that the nutritional value of plant foods may depend on more than their familiar concentrations of fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 9, 2026
As a result, he suggests, “some could already be identifiable as my source in public records.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 9, 2026
Still, Knight suggests that one possible explanation for some of their effects could involve reducing the dopamine signals generated when nutrients reach the digestive system.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 9, 2026
“Let’s play hide-and-seek,” Poppet suggests, and Bailey agrees before she unbuttons her coat and leaves it on a frozen bench, her white costume rendering her all but invisible.
From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern
On Sunday, Nvidia’s board said it would investigate reports Huang was a foreign espionage target, even as it suggested it didn’t expect to find serious problems.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 10, 2026
Asked whether U.S. escalation with Iran was still unlikely, as Trump suggested in a “60 Minutes” interview on Sunday, the White House did not provide a response.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 9, 2026
In his comments Sunday, Trump suggested the inclusion of the fighters "from parts unknown" was how the public should have known it was a joke.
From Barron's ● Nov. 9, 2026
Earlier laboratory experiments suggested that exposure to intense heat or severe cold could kill blacklegged ticks.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 9, 2026
She suggested we ditch dinner altogether and go to an old-fashioned ice cream parlor that she and Uncle Jack used to love.
From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller
"We found that pantethine administration effectively alleviated psoriasis in mice, suggesting that insufficient pantethine levels may be the crucial contributor to hyperactivation of dendritic cells and autoimmune inflammation following the up-regulation of Vanins," Zhang says.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 9, 2026
The firm was previously called 7Road International, according to the Singapore government's website, suggesting links to Chinese gaming company 7Road.
From Barron's ● Nov. 9, 2026
According to producer Jacknife Lee, The Mirror Maker went through 196 different takes before U2 were happy, suggesting they haven't entirely abandoned their perfectionist streak.
From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2026
The Nasdaq’s gains waned slightly near the closing bell, suggesting traders remained on edge going into the weekend.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026
The company paid the good Reverend’s salary and was not above suggesting the topic of his sermons, mostly having to do with rendering to Caesar what was Caesar’s.
From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
