insinuate
/ɪnˈsɪnjueɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪnˈsɪnjueɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /in-ˈsin-yə-ˌwāt -yü-ˌāt/ (ame, mw)
insinuate — verb
- insinuatepresent simple I / you / we / they
- insinuateshe / she / it
- insinuatedpast simple
- insinuating-ing form
1. to communicate an idea indirectly, in a way that makes people think something ne
to communicate an idea indirectly, in a way that makes people think something negative or harmful is true
Siti didn't accuse me directly, but her tone clearly insinuated that I had lied.
insinuate + that-clause
The newspaper article insinuated that the governor had taken bribes from contractors.
media context: insinuate + that-clause
Are you trying to insinuate that I broke the vase on purpose?
Kwame felt insulted when his teammate insinuated he wasn't trying hard enough.
The rival company's advert insinuated that Nalini's products were unsafe for children.
- imply
more neutral and broader — can be used for positive, negative, or neutral indirect meanings
- hint
informal; often used for small, personal suggestions rather than serious accusations
- suggest
neutral and general; lacks the negative charge of insinuate
- intimate
formal, often used in writing or official speech
文法句型
insinuate + that-clause
insinuate + clause
用法筆記
The negative implication is always indirect — the speaker never states the accusation openly. Distinguish from sense 2 and 3, which describe physical or social positioning rather than communication.
常見錯誤
2. to cleverly gain someone's trust or a position of advantage, often by hiding you
to cleverly gain someone's trust or a position of advantage, often by hiding your true intentions
Dmitri insinuated himself into the director's inner circle within six months.
insinuate oneself into + group
Yara slowly insinuated herself into the family's trust by running small errands.
insinuate oneself into + someone's trust
The new assistant insinuated himself into every important meeting without an invitation.
Oluwaseun had insinuated himself so cleverly that the board saw him as essential.
Ingrid tried to insinuate herself into the professor's confidence by praising his research.
- ingratiate
emphasises flattery and pleasing behaviour to win favour
- worm
informal and more openly negative; suggests sneaky, writhing progress
- infiltrate
often used for entering organisations secretly, especially in espionage contexts
文法句型
insinuate oneself into + group/position
用法筆記
Almost always used reflexively: insinuate oneself into [position/group/favour]. The subject acts deliberately and the action has a calculated, often manipulative quality. Distinguish from sense 1 (communication) and sense 3 (physical movement).
常見錯誤
3. to move your body or one of its limbs slowly and carefully into a narrow or part
to move your body or one of its limbs slowly and carefully into a narrow or particular space
The cat insinuated itself through the narrow gap in the garden fence.
insinuate + reflexive for animals / physical movement
Tariq insinuated his hand into the crowded cookie jar before anyone noticed.
insinuate + body part into + container
Fatima slowly insinuated her way through the dense crowd to reach the stage.
The ivy insinuated its tendrils into every crack of the old stone wall.
Amina insinuated her arm under the heavy bookshelf to retrieve her glasses.
文法句型
insinuate oneself/one's body part + into/through + space
用法筆記
Used reflexively or with a body part. Often followed by 'into' or 'through'. Unlike sense 2, this describes physical movement, not social positioning. Can be used with inanimate subjects (vines, roots, water).