as in charming
likely or intended to win one's affection
the fortune hunter's insinuating attentions were having their intended effect on the naive heiress
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in infiltrating
to introduce in a gradual, secret, or clever way
years were needed for the agent to insinuate himself into the terrorist organization
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in implying
to convey an idea indirectly
are you insinuating that I won by cheating?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in inserting
to put among or between others
quietly insinuated herself among the concertgoers raptly listening to the piano solo
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of insinuating
Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2025
In the process, the day-to-day nightmare of Dana’s new reality gets lost, even if the more insinuating discomfort of her present-day reality has been enhanced.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Dec. 2022
The complaint says that since at least early 2021, McKillips had been posting messages insinuating or explicitly threatening to harm the government or federal agents.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 2 Nov. 2022
But Johnson’s pieces were intimate and insinuating, not imposing, rarely much larger than a comic book and easily overlooked.
—Vince Aletti, The New Yorker, 22 July 2022
The only sparks in the evening came from countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo (Dionysus/Dracula), who commanded attention at every appearance with his insinuating, chromatic vocal line and some spectacular costumes by Chrisi Karvonides-Dushenko.
—Heidi Waleson, WSJ, 10 Aug. 2021
The Harptones had Willie Winfield, a tenor vocalist with immaculate pitch and an insinuating way with a phrase, and Raoul Cita, a gifted vocal arranger who made sure the group's voicings were always distinctive.
—Richard Sandomir, New York Times, 3 Aug. 2021
Gilad Edelman, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2026
Not to protect steelworkers or correct trade imbalances—and no one is insinuating that fentanyl is flowing in from Nuuk.
—Andrew Leahey, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Bright, young census surveyors show up and ask insinuating questions, issue casual threats behind gleaming smiles.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 9 Jan. 2026
But in October 2024, Vladimir Kramnik, a former Russian World Chess Champion who Naroditsky grew up idolizing, began publicly insinuating that Naroditsky might be using computer assistance during online games.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 18 Dec. 2025
The Steelers mustered just 166 yards of total offense, and things looked even more bleak after the game when quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw an unnamed wide receiver under the bus by insinuating someone had been skipping out on the team’s film studying.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Dec. 2025
Yet the average analyst surveyed by LSEG has a buy rating and price target insinuating shares can add close 15% over the next year.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 28 Nov. 2025
This included repeating racist comments in 2019, insinuating a claim that Blacks are less intelligent than Whites due to genetics.
—Christina Zdanowicz, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
The follow-up tease showed someone holding a bunch of wires, insinuating that her costume likely has some animatronics involved.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Nov. 2025
Adjective
Rather than viewing the insinuating and undeniably creepy Gacy as an inherent threat, Macmanus finds the tragedy in the disparate and desperate circumstances amid which Gacy might have represented an illusion of hope.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2025
In the process, the day-to-day nightmare of Dana’s new reality gets lost, even if the more insinuating discomfort of her present-day reality has been enhanced.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Dec. 2022
The complaint says that since at least early 2021, McKillips had been posting messages insinuating or explicitly threatening to harm the government or federal agents.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 2 Nov. 2022
But Johnson’s pieces were intimate and insinuating, not imposing, rarely much larger than a comic book and easily overlooked.
—Vince Aletti, The New Yorker, 22 July 2022
The only sparks in the evening came from countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo (Dionysus/Dracula), who commanded attention at every appearance with his insinuating, chromatic vocal line and some spectacular costumes by Chrisi Karvonides-Dushenko.
—Heidi Waleson, WSJ, 10 Aug. 2021
The Harptones had Willie Winfield, a tenor vocalist with immaculate pitch and an insinuating way with a phrase, and Raoul Cita, a gifted vocal arranger who made sure the group's voicings were always distinctive.
—Richard Sandomir, New York Times, 3 Aug. 2021
Verb
As an exhaustive New York Times Magazine investigation recently explained, Epstein built his fortune mainly by insinuating himself as a wealth manager for a few superrich old men and drawing hefty fees.
—Gilad Edelman, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2026
Not to protect steelworkers or correct trade imbalances—and no one is insinuating that fentanyl is flowing in from Nuuk.
—Andrew Leahey, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Bright, young census surveyors show up and ask insinuating questions, issue casual threats behind gleaming smiles.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 9 Jan. 2026
But in October 2024, Vladimir Kramnik, a former Russian World Chess Champion who Naroditsky grew up idolizing, began publicly insinuating that Naroditsky might be using computer assistance during online games.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 18 Dec. 2025
The Steelers mustered just 166 yards of total offense, and things looked even more bleak after the game when quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw an unnamed wide receiver under the bus by insinuating someone had been skipping out on the team’s film studying.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Dec. 2025
Yet the average analyst surveyed by LSEG has a buy rating and price target insinuating shares can add close 15% over the next year.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 28 Nov. 2025
This included repeating racist comments in 2019, insinuating a claim that Blacks are less intelligent than Whites due to genetics.
—Christina Zdanowicz, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
The follow-up tease showed someone holding a bunch of wires, insinuating that her costume likely has some animatronics involved.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insinuating
Adjective
-
The charming boutique hotel opened in 2009, and is home to two beautiful restaurants.—
Rebekah Evans,
TheWeek,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Start by checking into the 12-key Washington School House Hotel, a charming boutique property that puts you within walking distance of the best shopping and eating on Main Street.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Thematically, Wuthering Heights is reminiscent of the director’s previous movie, Saltburn, which also saw a rough outsider infiltrating the upper class in Britain.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The story begins with the Minions infiltrating Hollywood and pitching their own monster movie.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Seattle is currently +800 (8-to-1) to win a second straight title, implying a roughly 11 percent chance of a repeat.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Analyst Ben Reitzes also lowered his price target to $430, implying that shares could add 7%.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
With the help of the architecture firm Gensler and the design company Blueprint Studios, Live Nation is studying the possibility of inserting a second large, but more manageable, 5,000-person venue underground.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
10 Feb. 2026
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Some people—in fear of being accused of using AI—are purposely inserting grammatical errors or typos to make their prose look more human, experts say.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Sweeney stars as Penny Jo, a South Dakota diner waitress with an appealing smile, an ingratiating stammer, a scarf in her hair, and deep reserves of ruthless ambition.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Still, on a moment-to-moment basis, the film has tension, strong character dynamics and sharp individual portraits whose astringency gets alleviated by Gottsagen and James’ more ingratiating turns.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The collection is made for sharing or sneaking a few self-love treats for yourself.—
Doris Alvarez Cea,
Florida Times-Union,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The squirrel even escaped its first capture, sneaking out from under the garment that was thrown on top of it.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The motion sought to dismiss the charges with prejudice, indicating they cannot be refiled.—
Nicole Acevedo,
NBC news,
13 Feb. 2026
-
On May 14, 2025, CBP investigators received information from a law enforcement database indicating that Garcia-Vallejo was Wilkinson’s niece, the complaint states.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Experts recommend introducing fiber slowly, as for some people, adding too much right away can cause cramping, bloating and constipation.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom is introducing a bill that would ban selling booze to repeat DUI offenders.—
James Taylor,
CBS News,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Insinuating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insinuating. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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