insinuate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "insinuate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to suggest something obliquely or indirectly, typically something unpleasant or unwelcome. Example sentence: She insinuated that I had been dishonest in my report.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The cruelest part is they insinuate that I might be a bit of a loser who hasn't found my path in life, when in fact I'm a perfectly functional, happy person, contributing to society by working and paying taxes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Therefore, it thinks that to insinuate one has a boyfriend makes one look really cool and desired and validated (see: endless fashion blogs and tumblrs about models' boyfriends) and therefore it is super sexy to look like you just rolled out of bed (probably from having sex! Only cool people are allowed to have sex, ya know!), pulled on your boyfriend's clothes and hit the streets.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Her innumerable portraits speak volumes about how she used her wits to charm the king and insinuate herself into every aspect of his life.

The Economist

It does not help, for example, to insinuate that the 150 Rwandan troops sent by the African Union to help monitor a frail ceasefire in Darfur could be carrying AIDS, or to dismiss the satellite photos of burned Darfuri villages released by America's State Department as "espionage".

The Economist

Some insinuate that he doesn't love America enough to defend it wholeheartedly.

The Economist

Panama's outrage led the foreign ministry to insinuate the possibility of retaliation, saying in a statement that the Panamanian government would study unspecified measures against countries that "discriminate against Panama .Panama and Colombia have had historically warm relations  and the Central American country is home to about 500,000 Colombians.

The Economist

In animal experiments, such transplants mature into adult nerve cells and insinuate themselves into the damaged cord, restoring at least some movement to an otherwise paralysed body.

The Economist

They insinuate ulterior motives behind CSE's campaign.Ms Narain argues that some residues must be tolerated in food, since farmers use pesticides to grow crops.

The Economist

His enemies insinuate that it was not his political insights that were worth so much, but his influence and connections.

The Economist

With the plethora of expansion ports available on the PS2, Sony seemed poised to insinuate its console into the middle of any home-entertainment system, thereby taking over the living room (assuming other Sony products had not done so already).

The Economist

But he continued to insinuate that their current leaders would first have to be replaced, since he accuses the lot of them of corruption.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "insinuate" when you want to suggest something subtly or indirectly, especially when dealing with delicate or sensitive topics. It can add nuance to your writing.

Common error

While "insinuate" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more direct language to maintain clarity and precision. Instead of insinuating, consider stating directly.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "insinuate" is a verb. It's used to describe the action of suggesting something indirectly or subtly, often with a negative connotation. As Ludwig AI suggests, it means to hint or imply.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "insinuate" is a verb that means to suggest something indirectly, often something negative or unpleasant. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently used in written English, particularly in News & Media. It's a way of conveying information subtly, and as such, should be used thoughtfully to avoid misinterpretation. Consider using more direct language in formal contexts for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

imply

Focuses on suggesting something without explicitly stating it.

hint

Indicates a subtle suggestion or clue.

suggest

Proposes an idea indirectly.

intimate

Conveys a delicate or subtle hint.

allude

Makes an indirect reference.

infer

Draws a conclusion based on indirect evidence.

insinuate oneself

Implies subtly integrating into a situation or group.

creep in

Describes a gradual and subtle entry or influence.

worm one's way into

Suggests using cunning or manipulation to gain access or favor.

adumbrate

Signifies foreshadowing or outlining vaguely.

FAQs

How can I use "insinuate" in a sentence?

You can use "insinuate" to suggest something indirectly. For example, "She insinuated that I was lying", meaning she implied it without directly accusing you.

What can I say instead of "insinuate"?

You can use alternatives like "imply", "hint", or "suggest" depending on the context.

Is it better to "insinuate" or state directly?

Whether to "insinuate" or state directly depends on the situation. Insinuating can be useful when delicacy is required, but directness is often better for clarity and avoiding misunderstanding.

What is the difference between "insinuate" and "imply"?

"Insinuate" means to suggest or hint slyly, while "imply" means to suggest something without stating it directly. The speaker insinuates, and the listener infers.