He speaks with rage of insinuations that there's a 'gay mafia' in Hollywood.
I just don't think it's right to bring a good man down by rumour and insinuation.
Synonyms: implication, suggestion, hint, allusion More Synonyms of insinuate
2. verb
If you say that someone insinuatesthemselves into a particular situation, you mean that they manage very cleverly, and perhaps dishonestly, to get into that situation.
[disapproval]
He gradually insinuated himself into her life. [V pron-refl + into]
[Also VERB noun preposition]
insinuate in British English
(ɪnˈsɪnjʊˌeɪt)
verb
1. (may take a clause as object)
to suggest by indirect allusion, hints, innuendo, etc
2. (transitive)
to introduce subtly or deviously
3. (transitive)
to cause (someone, esp oneself) to be accepted by gradual approaches or manoeuvres
Derived forms
insinuative (inˈsinuative) or insinuatory (inˈsinuatory)
adjective
insinuator (inˈsinuˌator)
noun
Word origin
C16: from Latin insinuāre to wind one's way into, from in-2 + sinus curve
insinuate in American English
(ɪnˈsɪnjuˌeɪt)
verb transitiveWord forms: inˈsinuˌated or inˈsinuˌating
1.
to introduce or work into gradually, indirectly, and artfully
to insinuate oneself into another's favor
2.
to hint or suggest indirectly; imply
verb intransitive
3.
to make insinuations
SIMILAR WORDS: sugˈgest
Derived forms
insinuatingly (inˈsinuˌatingly)
adverb
insinuative (inˈsinuˌative)
adjective
insinuator (inˈsinuˌator)
noun
Word origin
< L insinuatus, pp. of insinuare, to introduce by windings and turnings, insinuate < in-, in + sinus, curved surface
Examples of 'insinuate' in a sentence
insinuate
I moved forward quickly enough to insinuate my shoulder in the gap.
Val McDermid DEAD BEAT (2002)
I'm sorry," she said, `I didn't mean to insinuate that...' `Are you ready?
Lunnon-Wood, Mike LET NOT THE DEEP (2002)
Yet she seemed to insinuate that he was here at her behest, and that somehow she intended to make him stay.
Clive Barker COLDHEART CANYON (2002)
Kahil was one of her men, yet he managed to insinuate himself into Fadawah's trust.
Raymond E. Feist SHARDS OF A BROKEN CROWN (2002)
(verb)
Definition
to suggest indirectly by allusion, hints, or innuendo
The article insinuated that the President was lying.
Synonyms
imply
Are you implying that I had something to do with this?
suggest
What exactly are you suggesting?
hint
The President hinted she might make some changes in the government.
indicate
She has indicated that she might resign.
intimate
She intimated that she was contemplating leaving the company.
allude
Additional synonyms
in the sense of hint
Definition
to suggest indirectly
The President hinted she might make some changes in the government.
Synonyms
suggest,
mention,
indicate,
imply,
intimate,
tip off,
let it be known,
insinuate,
allude to the fact,
tip the wink (informal)
in the sense of indicate
Definition
to be or give a sign or symptom of
She has indicated that she might resign.
Synonyms
imply,
suggest,
hint,
intimate,
signify,
insinuate,
give someone to understand
in the sense of intimate
Definition
to make (something) known in an indirect way
She intimated that she was contemplating leaving the company.