intimated

[ in-tuh-mey-tid ]

adjective

1. made known indirectly; hinted or implied:

   It's the intimated aggression that's so offensive in the headline “Shareholders seize control of floundering corporation.”

   Whether because of my persuasive manner or the intimated suggestion that I regarded him as a progressive, he pounded the table in agreement.

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of intimate ²( def ).

Other Words From

• qua·si-in·ti·mat·ed adjective
• un·in·ti·mat·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of intimated¹

intimate ²( def ) + -ed ²( def )

Example Sentences

Cronin intimated that there could be even fewer notable nonconference games in future seasons if the Big Ten’s television partners get their wish to expand conference schedules from 20 to 22 games.

From Los Angeles Times

If it’s Trump, he “might give Israel an even freer hand in Gaza and elsewhere, and has intimated he could try to cut a Ukraine deal with Moscow over Kyiv’s head.”

From BBC

Adams has insisted the charges are “based on lies,” and intimated that he had been “targeted” for his criticism of the Biden administration over its “broken immigration policies.”

From Salon

Foster intimated that Garbers would retain his starting job going forward, adding that he would have to rewatch the game to see if Martin had done enough to make it a competition.

From Los Angeles Times

Foster intimated that both left tackle Reuben Unije, who left the game in the third quarter, and right tackle Garrett DiGiorgio, who sat out with an apparent shoulder injury, would return soon.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• implicit
• implied
• indirect
• unspoken