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in·sin·u·ate

insinuate

 
 
pronunciation:
ihn sIn yu eIt
parts of speech:
transitive verb, intransitive verb
features:
Word Combinations (verb)
part of speech: transitive verb
inflections: insinuates, insinuating, insinuated
definition 1: to suggest (something derogatory) subtly and indirectly.
She didn't openly accuse him, but she insinuated that he'd been cheating during the game.
synonyms:
imply, intimate
similar words:
asperse, hint, indicate, suggest
definition 2: to use subtle and indirect means to advance (oneself).
He insinuated himself into the king's favor.
synonyms:
ingratiate
similar words:
wheedle, wind, worm
definition 3: to cause to be introduced by subtle and indirect means.
He insinuated fear among the ship's crew.
similar words:
implant, infuse, inject, insert, instill, introduce
 
part of speech: intransitive verb
definition: to make subtle and suggestive remarks, esp. hinting at something derogatory.
He never criticizes us directly; he only insinuates.
synonyms:
hint
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
derivations: insinuative (adj.), insinuatively (adv.), insinuator (n.)