insinuating
Americanadjective
-
tending to instill doubts, distrust, etc.; suggestive.
an insinuating letter.
-
gaining favor or winning confidence by artful means.
an insinuating manner.
Other Word Forms
- half-insinuating adjective
- half-insinuatingly adverb
- insinuatingly adverb
- preinsinuatingly adverb
- uninsinuating adjective
Etymology
Origin of insinuating
First recorded in 1585–95; insinuat(e) + -ing 2
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Since the Epstein files release, Pozhidaeva has been contending with social-media posts and blogs insinuating she is a Russian spy.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 15, 2026
He responded with, “There goes the house,” insinuating that he’s going to lose it.
From MarketWatch • Dec. 16, 2025
This fits in with Kennedy's long-standing history of eugenics-tinged notions that disease is a good thing, falsely claiming that it strengthens the gene pool, and insinuating that it makes survivors stronger.
From Salon • May 27, 2025
The articles highlighted by Brown criticise her hair, face, body and style, with some insinuating she looks much older than she is.
From BBC • Mar. 4, 2025
A radio with a faulty connection played loud and rasping for a while, then suddenly quiet and insinuating.
From "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
