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

When Buehler was discussing his future before the World Series, he said, “I would love to stay here for as long as they’ll have me,” but intimated that the team’s decision whether to extend him a one-year, $21-million qualifying offer or not — the deadline to do so is Monday — could serve as an early indicator on if he’ll return.

From Los Angeles Times

Garbers intimated that the Bruins might stick with the short passing game that helped him roll up a career-high 383 yards against Rutgers.

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

He intimated that he had been “targeted” for his criticism of the Biden administration over its “broken immigration policies,” which led to Republican governors like Greg Abbott of Texas and Ron DeSantis of Florida to transport more than 200,000 sanctuary-seeking immigrants to the Big Apple.

From Salon

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

Related Words

• implicit
• implied
• indirect
• unspoken