insinuation

[ in-sin-yoo-ey-shuhn ]

noun

1. an indirect or covert suggestion or hint, especially of a derogatory nature:

   She made nasty insinuations about her rivals.

2. covert or artful suggestion or hinting, as of something implied:

   His methods of insinuation are most ingenious.

3. subtle or artful instillment into the mind.
4. the art or power of stealing into the affections and pleasing; ingratiation:

   He made his way by flattery and insinuation.

5. Archaic. a slow winding, worming, or stealing in.
6. Obsolete. an ingratiating act or speech.

insinuation

/ ɪnˌsɪnjʊˈeɪʃən /

noun

1. an indirect or devious hint or suggestion
2. the act or practice of insinuating

Other Words From

• prein·sinu·ation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of insinuation¹

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin insinuātion- (stem of insinuātiō ); insinuate, -ion

Example Sentences

The problem with deepfakes isn’t that they make false claims or insinuations about a candidate, he said; “the problem is that they are showing the candidate saying or doing something that in fact they didn’t.”

From Los Angeles Times

It was an outrageous lie by insinuation, but why he lied is not mysterious.

From Salon

Still, Loomer shot back at affair insinuations in a post to X early on Saturday morning.

From Salon

Other Trump surrogates retreated to the comforts of conspiratorial insinuation.

From Salon

Rollinson heard all the patronizing insinuations, making a point of simply noting Hudson’s production.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• innuendo