insinuation

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "insinuation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a statement that implies something without stating it directly. For example, "He looked at her with a sly insinuation, as if to imply that she had something to hide."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I agree with the principle that public money must be used based on need and based on a process, but I don't accept his insinuation that I'm favouring the Bengali community.

The Guardian

The American psychological association state rather succinctly that "... the evidence to date suggests that home environments provided by lesbian and gay parents are as likely as those provided by heterosexual parents to support and enable children's psychosocial growth".. Sadly, the insinuation that same-sex parents are defective continues unabated.

The Guardian

Walsh complained, naturally enough, about the insinuation that he might have been involved in a fix.

The Guardian

Senator Dick Durbin's insinuation that we will "never know, you will never know, how much he put in to accomplish this" only ups the suspicions about the incredible power Reid wields.

The Guardian

In 2008, after – note – he had stepped down as leader of the Liberal Democrats owing to a self-acknowledged problem with alcohol (the common phrase here, I believe is "admitted to a drink problem" – but the insinuation that Kennedy should have guilt about this sticks in my craw), he was a guest on Have I Got News For You.

The Guardian - Opinion

Cage was widely barracked for that insinuation.

The Economist

They also resent an insinuation underlying the debate over "outsourcing": that all countries such as India have to offer is cheap labour and a telecommunications link.

The Economist

That is the insinuation of an interview given by none other than Mr Strauss-Kahn's wife, Anne Sinclair.

The Economist

The insinuation at its root has not been proved.

The Economist

The store offered me a full refund.GUY BELLAIRS MadeiraWHOs researchSIR—The Economist makes a thinly veiled insinuation (March 14th) that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has, in some way, tried to conceal the truth of the impact of the Chernobyl nuclear accident.

The Economist

And her insinuation that their looming extinction stems from internal rifts, not simply emigration, seems spurious.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "insinuation" when you want to convey a message or suggest something indirectly, often to avoid direct confrontation or when lacking concrete evidence. Be mindful of the potential negative connotations and ensure the context supports the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "insinuation" excessively or without providing enough contextual clues. Overuse can make your writing seem convoluted or manipulative. Ensure that the implied meaning is clear to the reader without being overly obscure.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "insinuation" is as a noun, often functioning as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to the act of suggesting or hinting at something indirectly, often something negative or unpleasant. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "insinuation" functions primarily as a noun, denoting an indirect suggestion or hint, often carrying a negative connotation. Ludwig AI validates its correct and common usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral to formal, its intent is to imply without explicitly stating, allowing for subtlety or avoidance of direct confrontation. Related phrases include "indirect suggestion" and "veiled accusation", offering alternative ways to express similar concepts. When using "insinuation", be mindful of the potential for misinterpretation and ensure sufficient context is provided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

indirect suggestion

Focuses on the indirect nature of the suggestion.

subtle implication

Highlights the subtlety of the implication.

veiled accusation

Highlights the accusatory nature that may be present in the insinuation.

implicit allegation

Emphasizes that the allegation is not directly stated but implied.

suggestion of impropriety

Focuses on the suggestion of unethical or inappropriate behavior.

tacit suggestion

Emphasizes the unspoken nature of the suggestion.

indirect criticism

Highlights the critical aspect conveyed through insinuation.

hint of wrongdoing

Specifically suggests that the insinuation relates to an act of wrongdoing.

oblique reference

Focuses on the indirect way of referring to something.

roundabout aspersion

Highlights the derogatory intent conveyed in a roundabout manner.

FAQs

How to use "insinuation" in a sentence?

Use "insinuation" to describe an indirect suggestion or hint, often with a negative or accusatory undertone. For example, "His "insinuation" that she was lying was met with anger."

What can I say instead of "insinuation"?

You can use alternatives like "innuendo", "implication", or "suggestion" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "insinuation" and "suggestion"?

"Insinuation" often carries a negative or accusatory connotation, implying something unfavorable indirectly. "Suggestion" is more neutral and simply proposes an idea or course of action.

Is "insinuation" always negative?

While "insinuation" often implies something negative, it is not always inherently so. However, it generally suggests a degree of indirectness and can be perceived as manipulative or underhanded.