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insinuate

/ɪnˈsɪnjueɪt/  ·  say it: in·SIN·yoo·ate

to suggest indirectly

In Debate & Persuasion

In more detail

1. (verb) to suggest something indirectly or hint at something unpleasant without saying it directly

2. (verb) to introduce or insert gradually or cleverly into something

Examples

• 1. She insinuated that he had been dishonest without actually accusing him.
• 2. He slowly insinuated himself into the group by making friends with key members.

Nearby in Debate & Persuasion

incriminate, implicate, allege, imply, infer, elucidate