suggestively

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suggestively" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that implies or hints at a particular meaning or idea, often in a subtle or indirect way. Example: "She smiled suggestively, leaving him to wonder what she was really thinking."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Jamal's art offers a refinement that doesn't make a show of its discretion, a sharply rhythmic swing that doesn't pound the beat but brushes suggestively against it, a restraint that isn't coy or reticent but suggests the vast power in reserve, an emotionalism that evokes, strokes, and hints.

The New Yorker

Relationships "I have a deep love of the sport of wrestling," du Pont tells Schultz, suggestively.

The Guardian - Film

I don't know about you," he twinkled suggestively to the audience, "but no part of that works for me".

The Guardian

The soft, yielding worlds painted by Watteau and Fragonard are suggestively vaginal.

The Guardian - Arts

So Nigerian advertisers must be both deft and sensitive.Many southerners rather enjoy ads involving voluptuous women dancing suggestively.

The Economist

AS EVERYONE knows by now, Larry Craig, a senator from Idaho, was arrested in June for tapping his foot suggestively in an airport restroom, and pled guilty to disorderly conduct in August.

The Economist

She is more interested in the emotional texture (which was indeed erotic) of their exclusive brother-sister love, from which William escaped into marriage, breaking Dorothy's heart.The intensity of the Wordsworths' sibling connection has been noted before, but Ms Wilson places it suggestively within the context of its time.

The Economist

In 1998 Eurovision was won by Dana International, an Israeli transsexual; in 2003, the most talked-about act featured a couple of Russian teenage girls whose performance involved fondling each other suggestively to a techno-beat.

The Economist

Rising up a rock path from the lowest point in the structure, a natural drama unfolds, a little bit more, with each step.The structure inside which this piece of theatre is set into motion is an elongated glass atrium that looks suggestively like a chrysalis.

The Economist

In her first video piece, "Organic Honey's Visual Telepathy" (1972), she performed suggestively wearing a mask she bought in a sex shop.Ms Jonas's Milan show features 20 works incorporating screens of various sizes, chalkboard drawings and photographs.

The Economist

Similar in spirit are the portrait of Peeckelhaering (c. 1627) clutching his beer mug, The Merry Toper, and two later portraits a picture titled Malle Babbe (c. 1630 33), which portrays an old madwoman laughing, with an owl perched on her shoulder, and a joyful picture in the Louvre Museum of a laughing, suggestively dressed young Gypsy woman (1628 30).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "suggestively" to add nuance to descriptions, implying meanings beyond the explicitly stated. Ensure the context provides enough clues for the reader to grasp the intended implication.

Common error

While "suggestively" can enrich writing, avoid overuse in formal contexts where clarity and directness are paramount. Opt for more precise language to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "suggestively" modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, indicating the manner in which an action is performed or a quality is expressed. As confirmed by Ludwig, it describes something done in a way that hints at or implies something else. Examples show its usage across diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adverb "suggestively" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term, as confirmed by Ludwig. It serves to add nuance by hinting at meanings beyond the surface level, with primary usage in news, media, and encyclopedic contexts. While the phrase can enrich writing, it should be used judiciously in formal contexts to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "allusively" or "with innuendo" may provide greater precision depending on the intended meaning. In summary, "suggestively" is a valuable tool for adding subtlety and intrigue, demanding mindful application for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a suggestive manner

Focuses on the manner in which something is done, emphasizing the action's suggestive quality.

with innuendo

Highlights the presence of indirect and often risque hints or allusions.

allusively

Emphasizes the use of indirect references or hints.

implicitly

Focuses on the implied meaning rather than explicit expression.

indirectly

Highlights the lack of a direct or straightforward approach.

hintingly

Stresses the act of giving subtle hints or clues.

intimately

Shifts the focus to a sense of personal or private connection, implying a subtle understanding.

provocatively

Emphasizes the intention to evoke a reaction or response, often sexually.

with a wink

Captures the sense of playful suggestion or secret understanding.

with a knowing glance

Highlights the use of non-verbal communication to imply meaning.

FAQs

How can I use "suggestively" in a sentence?

You can use "suggestively" to describe actions, expressions, or objects that hint at something more than what is immediately apparent. For example, "She smiled suggestively", or "The painting's title was suggestively ambiguous".

What are some alternatives to "suggestively"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "allusively", "implicitly", or "with innuendo". Choose the word that best captures the intended shade of meaning.

Is there a difference between "suggestively" and "provocatively"?

"Suggestively" implies a subtle hint or implication, while "provocatively" implies a deliberate attempt to elicit a reaction, often of a sexual or controversial nature. The nuance depends on the intent and effect.

When is it appropriate to use "suggestively" in writing?

It is appropriate when you want to imply something without stating it directly, adding a layer of intrigue or subtlety to your writing. Be mindful of your audience and the potential for misinterpretation.