insinuation
/ɪnˌsɪnjuˈeɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪnˌsɪnjuˈeɪʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /(ˌ)in-ˌsin-yə-ˈwā-shən -yü-ˈā-/ (ame, mw)
insinuation — noun
- insinuationsingular
- insinuationsplural
1. the practice of leading people toward a negative idea without saying it openly.
the practice of leading people toward a negative idea without saying it openly.
The campaign relied on insinuation rather than direct accusations.
contrast: insinuation rather than direct accusations
The lawyer warned that insinuation can damage a witness's good name.
uncountable use: insinuation as a harmful tactic
Rania's letter was full of insinuation but offered no clear proof.
The talk show used insinuation to keep viewers guessing about the scandal.
By using insinuation instead of facts, the speaker avoided a direct claim.
- innuendo
often sharper and more malicious than insinuation
- hinting
broader and can be neutral, while insinuation usually suggests suspicion
- suggestiveness
focuses more on indirect effect, often without the negative charge
- candor
emphasizes speaking openly and directly
文法句型
rely on insinuation
full of insinuation
use insinuation rather than direct accusation
用法筆記
Usually uncountable when it describes a way of speaking or writing. It often appears in contrast with open accusation or clear factual claims.
常見錯誤
2. a negative idea or accusation that someone lets you infer instead of saying plai
a negative idea or accusation that someone lets you infer instead of saying plainly.
Tyler was hurt by an insinuation about stolen files at work.
insinuation about + noun
The senator denied the newspaper's insinuation that she took bribes.
insinuation that + clause
One ugly insinuation in the post was enough to start a fight.
Élise ignored the insinuation that her success came from family money.
The review contained an insinuation of bias, though it named no one.
- innuendo
often more pointed and more openly nasty than insinuation
- implication
broader and can be neutral, while insinuation is usually negative
- slur
stronger and more openly insulting than an insinuation
文法句型
an insinuation about + noun
an insinuation that + clause
deny an insinuation
用法筆記
Usually countable and often followed by a that-clause or of/about + noun naming the hidden charge. Distinguish it from sense 1, which focuses on the manner of hinting rather than the specific hint itself.