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

"I want to say he would be desirous of that, but I don't think he could have," says Christopher Elias, assistant professor of history at the American University in Cairo and author of "Gossip Men: J. Edgar Hoover, Joe McCarthy, Roy Cohn, and the Politics of Insinuation."

From Salon

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

From Salon

Other critics took aim at the price of the earrings, speculating that they were $800 Tiffany & Co. pearls, the insinuation being that wearing an expensive accessory somehow makes Harris ineligible for the office she seeks.

From Slate

Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of X and Tesla, embraced conspiratorial insinuation, publicly wondering why a registered Republican, and then a 2016 Trump voter, had tried to kill the former president while “no one is even trying to assassinate Biden/Kamala.”

From Salon

Other Trump surrogates retreated to the comforts of conspiratorial insinuation.

From Salon

Related Words

• innuendo