insinuate

[ in-sin-yoo-eyt ]

verb (used with object)

, in·sin·u·at·ed, in·sin·u·at·ing.

1. to suggest or hint slyly:

   He insinuated that they were lying.

2. to instill or infuse subtly or artfully, as into the mind:

   to insinuate doubts through propaganda.

   Synonyms: inculcate, inject, introduce

3. to bring or introduce into a position or relation by indirect or artful methods:

   to insinuate oneself into favor.

verb (used without object)

, in·sin·u·at·ed, in·sin·u·at·ing.

1. to make insinuations.

insinuate

/ ɪnˈsɪnjʊˌeɪt /

verb

1. may take a clause as object to suggest by indirect allusion, hints, innuendo, etc
2. tr to introduce subtly or deviously
3. tr to cause (someone, esp oneself) to be accepted by gradual approaches or manoeuvres

Derived Forms

• inˈsinuˌator, noun
• inˈsinuative, adjective

Other Words From

• in·sin·u·a·tive [in-, sin, -yoo-ey-tiv, -yoo-, uh, -], in·sin·u·a·to·ry [in-, sin, -yoo-, uh, -tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], adjective
• in·sinu·ative·ly adverb
• in·sinu·ator noun
• half-in·sinu·ated adjective
• prein·sinu·ate verb preinsinuated preinsinuating
• prein·sinu·ative adjective
• unin·sinu·ated adjective
• unin·sinu·ative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of insinuate¹

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin insinuātus, past participle of insinuāre “to work in, instill.” See in- ², sinuous, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of insinuate¹

C16: from Latin insinuāre to wind one's way into, from in- ² + sinus curve

Synonym Study

See hint.

Example Sentences

Proponents of the idea that the president is the singular instrument of the “will of the people” — sometimes called the “plebiscitary mandate” — insinuate that presidents should outrank Congress because they have the backing of a national majority while legislators wield only narrow, sectarian mandates from their districts or states.

From Los Angeles Times

"They assumed I was targeted due to 'gang violence' or a problem I caused. I don't bother anyone, I stay in my own lane, I focus on my career and family. Even after explaining this, they continued to insinuate that I was involved in something that brought this outcome upon myself," he said.

From BBC

Rowland didn’t explain what she meant by “boundaries” but did seem to insinuate that the guard had targeted her unfairly — perhaps through racial profiling.

From Los Angeles Times

Rep. Eli Crane, R-Arizona, said on social media it was “pathetic” to “insinuate that other members are klansmen.”

From Salon

Bud lives with his mom and subsequently keeps his “day job” as a limo driver but is driven to insinuate himself into some other writing gig.

From Los Angeles Times