SYNONYMS AND RELATED EXPRESSIONS
insinuation
noun
An indirect suggestion, often one that is insulting or unfavorable.
Local English device voice, when available. This is not a recorded dictionary pronunciation.
Indirect adverse suggestion
Closest synonyms
Related words and expressions
These extend or explain the idea and may require a different sentence structure.
Usage distinction
Return to topAn insinuation may damage a reputation while avoiding a direct, testable assertion.
RELATED FORMS, ONE FEATURED ENTRY
The insinuate family
insinuation is grouped under insinuate in the main dictionaries. This form keeps its meaning and previous study record.
insinuateverb
To suggest something indirectly, often something unfavorable.
Suggest indirectly
Closest synonyms
Related expressions
The note seemed to insinuate that someone had hidden the missing key.
Later, a visitor began to insinuate that Celia had lost the venue because the staff disliked her work.
CHECK THE MEANING IN CONTEXT
See insinuation in use
The letter's insinuation of dishonesty needed evidence before it could be treated as a finding.
One neighbor added an insinuation that the gardener wanted the space for private parties, hinting at a selfish motive without stating supporting evidence.
Compare an alternative with the original word in each passage. Shared meanings do not make every pair interchangeable.
Synonym reference scope and sources
The groups distinguish the senses selected for this study entry. Closest synonyms and broader related expressions have separate labels. The listed sources support lexical selection; not every phrase is a direct quotation from a source.
How the synonym reference was prepared / WordNet 3.0 license