suggestive

[ suhg-jes-tiv, suh- ]

/ səgˈdʒɛs tɪv, sə- /

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See synonyms for: suggestive / suggestively / suggestiveness on Thesaurus.com

adjective

that suggests; referring to other thoughts, persons, etc.: His recommendation was suggestive of his boss's thinking.

rich in suggestions or ideas: a suggestive critical essay.

evocative; presented partially rather than in detail.

that suggests or implies something improper or indecent; risqué; suggestive remarks.

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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 suggestive

First recorded in 1625–35; suggest + -ive

OTHER WORDS FROM suggestive

sug·ges·tive·ly, adverbsug·ges·tive·ness, nounnon·sug·ges·tive, adjectivenon·sug·ges·tive·ly, adverb

non·sug·ges·tive·ness, nounpre·sug·ges·tive, adjectiveun·sug·ges·tive, adjectiveun·sug·ges·tive·ly, adverbun·sug·ges·tive·ness, noun

Words nearby suggestive

Suger, suggest, suggestibility, suggestible, suggestion, suggestive, sugh, sugi, Suharto, Sui, suicidal

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

WHEN TO USE

What are other ways to say suggestive?

Something that is suggestive refers to other thoughts or persons. Do you know when to use suggestive over its synonyms expressive, meaningful, and significant? Find out on Thesaurus.com.

How to use suggestive in a sentence

The references to Igbo Landing, whether blatant or suggestive at best, go even further back.
A vacation town promises rest and relaxation. The water knows the truth.|Nneka M. Okona|August 26, 2021|Vox
Even with nudity bans in place, TikTok users can get pretty suggestive — and there is no denying the popularity of thirst-trap videos on the app.
TikTok’s Strange (and Wonderful) Subcultures|Sean Culligan|June 23, 2021|Ozy
The theory follows Carlson’s well-established style of asking extremely suggestive questions with little basis in evidence — and which are easily disputed — and then treating the answers he likes as fact to build a narrative he prefers.
Tucker Carlson’s wild, baseless theory blaming the FBI for organizing the Jan. 6 Capitol riot|Aaron Blake|June 16, 2021|Washington Post
All of these things are working together, and I think all of these things are suggestive of who is considered to be disposable in the United States.
From AIDS to COVID-19, America’s Medical System Has a Long History of Relying on Filipino Nurses to Fight on the Frontlines|Paulina Cachero|May 30, 2021|Time

That appears to have been the tipping point for a number of his associates to come forward with allegations of toxicity and abuse — and inappropriate touching or suggestive language.
If Andrew Cuomo isn’t ‘part of the political club’ then Mickey Mouse isn’t part of Disney|Philip Bump|March 12, 2021|Washington Post
Sexual harassment is a broad term that can cover everything from suggestive looks, to orders to dress sexier for work, to rape.
Waitressing Is One of the Worst Jobs for Sexual Harassment|Brandy Zadrozny|October 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Apparently, the sexually suggestive choreography and aggressive twerking was viewed as a threat to the Latin American nation.
Miley Cyrus Goes To War Against the Dominican Republic Government|Asawin Suebsaeng|September 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The trajectories of these numbers are suggestive and correlate with other things we know.
What’s Driving America’s Evolution Divide?|Karl W. Giberson|June 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They may be leading or suggestive questions, but they must be questions.
Pistorius’s Cross-Examination Could Have Been Grounds for a Mistrial in a U.S. Court|James D. Zirin|May 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At age 13, she began posting suggestive photos of herself on the internet, and her growing fanbase pushed her for more.
The Week’s Best Longreads for October 12, 2013|David Sessions|October 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Blood-streaked sputum is strongly suggestive of tuberculosis, and is more common in the early stages than later.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
The costumes were exceedingly grotesque and suggestive of the New rather than of the Old World.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
After all, Garnache's appearance was hardly suggestive of the role of Perseus which had been thrust upon him.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
Dr. Wilson says, in the statistical accounts of Scotland, many of which are suggestive of a pre-Raleigh period.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
But it is certainly suggestive and interesting, and I will cause inquiry in this direction to be set on foot at once.
Asbestos|Robert H. Jones

British Dictionary definitions for suggestive

suggestive

/ (səˈdʒɛstɪv) /

adjective

(postpositive foll by of) conveying a hint (of something)this painting is suggestive of a hot summer day

tending to suggest something improper or indecent

able or liable to suggest an idea, plan, etc

Derived forms of suggestive

suggestively, adverbsuggestiveness, noun

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

suggestive

Origin of suggestive

OTHER WORDS FROM suggestive

Words nearby suggestive

WHEN TO USE

What are other ways to say suggestive?

Words related to suggestive

How to use suggestive in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for suggestive

Derived forms of suggestive