intimate 1 of 3

adjective

ˈin-tə-mət How to pronounce intimate (audio)
Definition of intimatenext
1
as in close
closely acquainted intimate friends who can practically finish each other's sentences

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in confidential
not known or meant to be known by the general populace they trusted each other enough to share intimate thoughts

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

intimate

2 of 3

noun

ˈin-tə-mət How to pronounce intimate (audio)
as in friend
a person who has a strong liking for and trust in another usually quite aloof in public, he's actually very relaxed with his intimates

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

intimate

3 of 3

verb

ˈin-tə-ˌmāt How to pronounce intimate (audio)
as in to indicate
to convey an idea indirectly trying to intimate that there was more going on than anyone knew

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word intimate distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of intimate are hint, imply, insinuate, and suggest. While all these words mean "to convey an idea indirectly," intimate stresses delicacy of suggestion without connoting any lack of candor.

intimates that there is more to the situation than meets the eye

In what contexts can hint take the place of intimate?

The meanings of hint and intimate largely overlap; however, hint implies the use of slight or remote suggestion with a minimum of overt statement.

hinted that she might get the job

How are the words imply and suggest related as synonyms of intimate?

Imply is close to suggest but may indicate a more definite or logical relation of the unexpressed idea to the expressed.

measures implying that bankruptcy was imminent

When would insinuate be a good substitute for intimate?

The words insinuate and intimate can be used in similar contexts, but insinuate applies to the conveying of a usually unpleasant idea in a sly underhanded manner.

insinuated that there were shady dealings

When could suggest be used to replace intimate?

The synonyms suggest and intimate are sometimes interchangeable, but suggest may stress putting into the mind by association of ideas, awakening of a desire, or initiating a train of thought.

a film title that suggests its subject matter

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of intimate
Adjective
The three cheered their father on as part of the intimate group that witnessed the moment in musical history. —Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026 LoveShackFancy is taking its ultra-romantic aesthetic into intimate apparel. —Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 14 May 2026
Noun
Echavarría noted that Colombia excels in categories such as sportswear, swimwear, intimates and uniforms. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 25 Feb. 2026 Joanna Griffiths has experimented with executive coaches for years to help her work through challenges in leading $400 million intimates company Knix. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2026
Verb
Five of their 22 false-start penalties this season have been called on Brotherly Shove attempts, intimating that the league’s officials are calling things more tightly. —Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025 Beyond denim, Abercrombie is known for its range of basics, as well as its lounge, active, and intimates label, Aerie. —Malia Griggs, Glamour, 12 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for intimate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intimate
  1. close
  2. confidential
  3. friend
  4. indicate
  5. familiar
  6. private
  7. buddy
  8. imply
Adjective
  • Then, style it with jeans to hit the town for drinks with your closest friends.
    — Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 20 May 2026
  • Here, over a dozen or so hammocks hang from palm trees, swaying just over the water, close enough to dip your toes.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 May 2026
Definition of close
Adjective
  • Painter said this is exactly the kind of trading a president shouldn’t do, because the president has both confidential information about overseas developments and the power to move commodities markets through his own decisions.
    — Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 16 May 2026
  • All calls are toll-free and confidential.
    — Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
Definition of confidential
Noun
  • Then, style it with jeans to hit the town for drinks with your closest friends.
    — Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 20 May 2026
  • For families At Lanai Adventure Park, located near Sensei Lana'i, A Four Seasons Resort, families and friends can bond with ziplining, e-bike tours, and challenge courses with more than 70 obstacles.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 May 2026
Definition of friend
Verb
  • Russian media indicated that the hovercraft was built to carry no more than 10 passengers but was transporting 18 people along with heavy equipment at the time of the incident.
    — Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 20 May 2026
  • Last month, Miami commissioners had a closed-door attorney-client session known as a shade meeting to discuss the pension lawsuit, indicating that a potential settlement was on the horizon.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 19 May 2026
Definition of indicate
Adjective
  • As criticism over competitive disparities intensified following the meet, pro-trans activists pushed back with the familiar argument that inclusion matters more than results, while opponents argued female athletes lose opportunities in the process.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
  • As the adrenaline levels rose on Monday and Tuesday, and the familiar choreography of another British political crisis began to play out—ministerial resignations, spiky statements on X—the collateral damage that Starmer had warned against started to encroach, once again, upon the scene.
    — Sam Knight, New Yorker, 14 May 2026
Definition of familiar
Adjective
  • Over time, Raúl did enact reforms – though not democratic ones – such as expanding small-scale private businesses.
    — Chris Kenning, USA Today, 21 May 2026
  • While the simple Deluxe Room is ideal for a quick overnight trip, guests looking for a longer stay should spread out in the Junior Suite with Living & Dining Area, which opens onto a semi-private stone patio with a bocce court and a firepit in the warmer months.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 May 2026
Definition of private
Noun
  • From 2007 to 2009, Eric and his buddies hosted a golf invitational, spending about $50,000 annually and raising a few hundred thousand dollars a year, according to tax filings.
    — Dan Alexander, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
  • Once it’s discovered that there’s a contingent of hostile infiltrators and not just one, the action splits between the cops in town and Sung-ki and his buddies in the mountainside forest, where Na steers the story deeper into classic sci-fi territory.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2026
Definition of buddy
Verb
  • The analyst’s $182 price target implies that shares of TJX could rise 23% from here.
    — Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 17 May 2026
  • With Ebola’s serial interval of two to three weeks, 246 cases at declaration implies multiple generations of uncontrolled transmission.
    — John Drake, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
Definition of imply

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Intimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intimate. Accessed 22 May. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on intimate

Nglish: Translation of intimate for Spanish Speakers

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