intimated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "intimated" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to convey that something has been hinted at or suggested indirectly. Example: "She intimated that there might be changes coming to the project timeline during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ahead of Tuesday's election, some Palestinian officials close to Abbas had intimated that a Netanyahu victory – not least in terms of his outright rejection of a two-state solution and his vow to continue settlement construction – would mark a clear break in a US-led peace process that has been on ice since it collapsed almost a year ago.

The Guardian

They said they could not speculate on which side had fired the missile but intimated heavily that they believed it to be the Ukrainians.

The Guardian

Before Friday's SFL vote, SPL sources said broadcasters had intimated they would walk away, or certainly renegotiate their deals, leading to the warning that £16m a season could be lost.

The Guardian - Sport

The response – brutally honest and also artfully calculated – intimated a self-image problem Putin attempted to shatter.

The Guardian - Opinion

This, he intimated, was but the first step to impose a leadership that would give up Palestinians' aspirations to self-determination, national sovereignty and a right of refugees' return.

The Economist

In an online forum on February 14th Barack Obama intimated that the penny was no longer change he believes in.Fifty years ago a handful of pennies would buy a hamburger at McDonald's, but inflation means the coin won't even get you a French fry today.

The Economist

Mr Tremonti has since intimated that the clause was sneaked into the legislation by the prime minister's office.

The Economist

Mr Carney intimated in July that he could use higher rates to manage the housing market.Yet Mr Carney holds steady.

The Economist

He recently intimated that a "final round" of fighting might be needed to make plain who is local top dog.Is there the slightest chance that Azerbaijan might draw back from its current insistence that all pre-war boundaries must be restored, with Karabakh given only the "broadest possible autonomy" within Azerbaijan?

The Economist

After speaking at an anti-tax rally, Rick Perry, the governor, intimated that Texas might think about secession "if Washington continues to thumb their nose at the American people".

The Economist

The government submitted the draft contract to Congress with great fanfare, and intimated that passage would come within weeks, even if special sessions would be needed to get it through.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "intimated" when you want to suggest something subtly, without stating it explicitly. This is particularly effective in formal writing or when dealing with sensitive topics.

Common error

Avoid using "intimated" when a direct statement is more appropriate. "Intimated" implies subtlety, so using it when explicitness is needed can confuse your reader.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "intimated" is as a verb, typically in the past tense. Ludwig examples show it indicating an indirect suggestion or hint. As a verb, it usually takes a clause as its object, specifying what was subtly communicated.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Encyclopedias

26%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "intimated" is a verb used to subtly suggest or hint at something without making a direct statement. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science contexts. Its function is to convey information or opinions in a nuanced way, suitable for formal writing and sensitive topics. While "intimated" is generally appropriate, writers should avoid using it in contexts where directness is needed and be aware of alternatives such as "hinted", "suggested", or "implied" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hinted

Implies a more direct, though still subtle, suggestion.

suggested

Offers a broader term for putting an idea forward, less subtle than "intimated".

implied

Focuses on the idea being understood without explicit statement.

insinuated

Suggests something unpleasant in an indirect way.

indicated

Points something out without saying it directly.

alluded to

Makes an indirect reference to something.

gave the impression

Focuses on the perceived feeling or understanding created.

let it be known

More formal and implies a deliberate but indirect communication.

dropped a hint

More casual and emphasizes a small, indirect clue.

conveyed subtly

Highlights the delicate or understated manner of communication.

FAQs

How can I use "intimated" in a sentence?

You can use "intimated" to suggest something indirectly, as in "He "intimated" that changes were coming to the company."

What can I say instead of "intimated"?

You can use alternatives like "hinted", "suggested", or "implied" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "intimated" or "stated"?

"Intimated" suggests something indirectly, while "stated" means something was said explicitly. Choose ""intimated"" when the message is subtle; use stated when it's direct.

What's the difference between "intimated" and "insinuated"?

"Intimated" generally refers to subtly suggesting something. "Insinuated" often suggests something unpleasant or negative indirectly. Therefore, "insinuated" carries a more negative connotation.