insinuating

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'insinuating' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb, usually used in the context of making a suggestion or hinting at something without stating it directly. For example, "After he left the meeting, the boss was quick to make his insinuating comments about the presentation that I had given".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Just ask Jonathan Agnew, the BBC cricket correspondent who courted controversy last week by insinuating Australia had sullied the memory of Phillip Hughes, their late team-mate, by continuing their aggressive approach during the fractious Test series against India.

The Guardian - Sport

In the second and third Tests of the recently-concluded Tests between South Africa and Australia, reverse played a key role in the outcome of the matches, with each side insinuating malpractice by the other.

The Guardian - Sport

Government officials and product importers tossed blame at each other Wednesday, with Argentina insinuating that businesses are trying to drive up prices.

The Guardian - Money

Linking the president to this matter and insinuating that it could be linked to the processing of the Marikana report by the president is malicious and mischievous.

The Guardian

The former mayor is now insinuating that some of them may have been paid off.

The Economist

Now the Democrats are insinuating that Ms Terrell repaid a campaign contributor by purchasing overpriced voting machines that break down in Louisiana's humid climate.There are more solid disagreements between Ms Landrieu and Ms Terrell, the most substantial of which is over abortion.

The Economist

One UN aid convoy crept into the camp, but was forced to retreat under heavy fire.Seeking to score points from the drama in their own feuding, some Lebanese opposition parties have accused the government of turning a blind eye to the spread of radical Sunni groups, insinuating that they were meant as a foil against Shias.

The Economist

The Tories (along with the tabloids and UKIP) are having a throughly jolly time insinuating that Labour cares more about Britain's celtic fringe than it does about its English core.

The Economist

The government gleefully dubbed its foes "Araeer", a taunting plural form of Mr Arour's name, insinuating they were just nasty Sunni chauvinists out to destroy Syria's multi-sectarian harmony.In truth Mr Arour, a native of the Syrian city of Hama who fled after the regime's brutal suppression of an uprising there in 1982, had few followers before Syria's current troubles.

The Economist

To enable the gutting of basic constitutional protections by insinuating that those who would defend them are somehow the allies of terror, and therefore need to explain themselves to the victims of terrorism, is a revolting inversion.

The Economist

Islamist allies deepened anxieties by muttering darkly of plots against them, openly insinuating Christian perfidy.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "insinuating" when you want to subtly suggest something, rather than making a direct accusation or statement. This can be useful in nuanced discussions or when dealing with sensitive topics.

Common error

Avoid using "insinuating" when a direct accusation is more appropriate. "Insinuating" implies subtlety, while direct accusations require explicit language and evidence.

Linguistic Context

Insinuating" functions as a verb, specifically the present participle or gerund form of the verb "insinuate". It describes the act of suggesting something indirectly or subtly, often with a negative or manipulative connotation. The Ludwig AI examples confirm its usage in various contexts where indirect suggestion is involved.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "insinuating" functions as a verb, indicating the act of suggesting something subtly and indirectly, often with an underlying negative connotation. It is grammatically correct and very commonly used, particularly in news, media, and scientific contexts. Ludwig AI confirms the term's validity and demonstrates its use across diverse scenarios. When using "insinuating", consider the potential for misinterpretation and ensure the context aligns with your intended subtle suggestion. Alternatives like "implying" or "hinting" may offer a more neutral tone depending on your communicative goals. Be careful to avoid using "insinuating" when a direct statement is more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

implying

Focuses on the act of suggesting something without explicitly stating it.

hinting

Emphasizes a subtle suggestion or clue.

suggesting

Indicates a more general form of proposing an idea indirectly.

implying indirectly

Clarifies that the suggestion is not direct.

alluding to

Highlights making a reference to something without explicitly mentioning it.

intimating

Similar to implying, but can also suggest making something known in a delicate way.

insinuating subtly

Highlights the subtle nature of the insinuation.

leaving the impression

Focuses on the effect the speaker is creating, rather than direct speech.

conveying

Emphasizes the act of transmitting an idea without direct expression.

hinting broadly

Suggests a strong suggestion, while not explicit.

FAQs

How can I use "insinuating" in a sentence?

"Insinuating" is used to suggest something indirectly. For example, "He was "insinuating" that I was responsible for the mistake, but he never said it outright".

What's a good alternative to "insinuating"?

Alternatives include "implying", "hinting", or "suggesting", depending on the context. Each carries a slightly different nuance of indirect communication.

Is it better to insinuate or to state directly?

It depends on the situation. Insinuating is useful for subtlety, while stating directly is better for clarity and when directness is required or preferred.

What is the difference between "insinuating" and "implying"?

"Insinuating" often carries a negative connotation, suggesting a sly or underhanded implication. "Implying" is more neutral, simply meaning to suggest something without explicitly stating it.