suggestive
Americanadjective
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that suggests; referring to other thoughts, persons, etc..
His recommendation was suggestive of his boss's thinking.
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rich in suggestions or ideas.
a suggestive critical essay.
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evocative; presented partially rather than in detail.
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that suggests or implies something improper or indecent; risqué;
suggestive remarks.
adjective
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conveying a hint (of something)
this painting is suggestive of a hot summer day
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tending to suggest something improper or indecent
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able or liable to suggest an idea, plan, etc
Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
- nonsuggestive adjective
- nonsuggestively adverb
- nonsuggestiveness noun
- presuggestive adjective
- suggestively adverb
- suggestiveness noun
- unsuggestive adjective
- unsuggestively adverb
- unsuggestiveness noun
Etymology
Origin of suggestive
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.
For example, errors in memory or suggestive questioning during eyewitness interviews can influence how events are remembered.
From Science Daily • Mar. 11, 2026
That is a classic example of a suggestive question.
From Slate • Feb. 13, 2026
“The latest result was a notable outlier suggestive of random upside volatility,” said Larry Werther, Chief U.S.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 12, 2026
Willow had not proved this, Neven was careful to say, but was "suggestive that we should take this idea seriously".
From BBC • Jan. 7, 2026
I like this word besotted, suggestive as it is of sogginess, soppiness, flies drunk on syrup.
From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood
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.
