suggest
Americanverb (used with object)
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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:
Its gentle tannins bring out the flavor of dishes like mushroom risotto and suggest a more serious wine than the price.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 2, 2026
Early results suggest the pivot has been a success.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 2, 2026
Iran hasn’t said much as we write this, and leaks from negotiators suggest the familiar confusing intercessions from Oman and Qatar.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 2, 2026
Stats given to Newsbeat by TikTok - which called Love Island "one of the most influential entertainment franchises" on the app - suggest he's not wrong.
From BBC ● Aug. 1, 2026
This is an unusual skill that even most trained musicians do not have, and research seems to suggest that if you don't have it at a very early age, you cannot develop it.
From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones
And UK-wide analysis suggests the number of advertisements for summer jobs in the UK has fallen by almost a third over the past year.
From BBC ● Aug. 3, 2026
The whole history of America, as well as common sense, suggests otherwise.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 2, 2026
It concluded that the available evidence suggests spillover but maintained that the laboratory-leak hypothesis could not be ruled out.
From Salon ● Aug. 2, 2026
As of Friday, tests showed Jackie was still anemic, and an elevated white blood cell count suggests that she is experiencing inflammation or an infection.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 2, 2026
Recent research suggests they may have been taken from Angola by Portuguese slave traders and then captured at sea by British pirates flying the Dutch flag, who then sold them in Virginia.
From "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis
It also saves mechanics from having to argue their case on a suggested repair.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 1, 2026
Earlier research suggested that if one passed through a white dwarf, its gravity could create powerful tidal forces inside the star.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 1, 2026
Several European countries also suggested Spain's membership in the Schengen free movement zone should be suspended, though the move is virtually impossible in practice.
From Barron's ● Aug. 1, 2026
Team McCourt has suggested the gondola will be built with private money, perhaps from selling advertising rights, and that rides will be free to Dodger ticket holders.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 1, 2026
Then Grandma knocked on my door and suggested I log out or something tragic might happen to the router.
From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows
There are thousands of comments, with one follower suggesting to "wear baggy clothes and avoid the mirror", and another saying "eat chocolate".
From BBC ● Aug. 3, 2026
That stronger clustering might also appear to explain observations suggesting that the Universe contains denser structures than predicted.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 2, 2026
The indicator is now back below its long-term average, suggesting U.S. stocks are relatively cheap.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 31, 2026
As Europe weans itself off Russian energy, Washington is fast emerging as its largest gas supplier, with experts suggesting Croatia's Adriatic gas terminal offers a pathway deeper into the continent.
From Barron's ● Jul. 31, 2026
“Here!” said the gods, as if suggesting a new game.
From "Norse Mythology" by Neil Gaiman
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.
