insinuating
insinuating — 形容詞
- insinuatingpositive
- more insinuatingcomparative
- most insinuatingsuperlative
1. used to describe a remark, question, tone, or way of speaking that hints at some
影射；暗示
透過間接話語傳達負面含義
used to describe a remark, question, tone, or way of speaking that hints at something unpleasant about someone, without expressing it in a direct and open way.
Nala ignored her colleague's insinuating tone when he asked how she 'really' got the promotion.
當同事問 Nala 她「究竟是怎麼」得到升遷機會時，Nala 不理會他那種影射的語氣。
insinuating tone — tone that suggests something without stating it
The lawyer's insinuating questions made the witness suspect she was being accused of lying.
律師那些帶有暗示性的問題，讓證人懷疑自己正在被指控說謊。
insinuating questions — questions designed to hint at guilt
Rafael found Omar's insinuating comments about the budget unsettling but chose not to respond.
Rafael 覺得 Omar 對預算那些影射性的評論讓人不舒服，但他選擇不予回應。
The reporter's pause before her question felt insinuating, as if she knew more than she said.
那名記者在提問題前的停頓帶有暗示意味，彷彿她知道的事情比說出來的更多。
felt insinuating — verb + adjective describing perceived quality
- insinuating tone
- insinuating remark
- insinuating question
- insinuating comment
- insinuating smile
- suggestive
broader in meaning; can be neutral or positive, whereas insinuating is always negative and sly
- implicit
more neutral and technical; does not carry the sly/manipulative connotation of insinuating
- veiled
focuses on the hiding or covering of meaning; often used with 'threat' or 'criticism'
用法筆記
Commonly modifies nouns that describe speech or communication: tone, remark, question, comment, smile. The insinuating effect often depends on the listener inferring a negative meaning that was never explicitly stated.
常見錯誤
2. behaving in an overly flattering or charming manner in order to win someone else
討好；奉承
用奉承或魅力博取好感
behaving in an overly flattering or charming manner in order to win someone else's approval or trust, often in a way that feels calculated or insincere.
The new assistant's insinuating smile made Eve wonder what favour he planned to ask for.
新助理那種討好的笑容讓 Eve 猜想，他接下來大概要開口要求什麼好處。
insinuating smile — a smile that is charming but feels manipulative
Tamás disliked how his uncle's insinuating compliments always came with a hidden request.
Tamás 不喜歡他叔叔那些奉承的讚美，因為那些話總是伴隨著某種暗中的請求。
insinuating compliments — flattery with an ulterior motive
Her insinuating attempts to charm the committee only made members suspect her motives.
她試圖討好委員會成員的舉動，反而讓大家懷疑她的動機。
Apinya saw through the salesman's insinuating manner and decided not to buy anything from him.
Apinya 看穿了那位業務員討好逢迎的態度，決定什麼都不跟他買。
insinuating manner — a way of behaving that is excessively ingratiating
- insinuating smile
- insinuating manner
- insinuating charm
- insinuating flattery
- insinuating compliments
- ingratiating
the closest synonym; slightly more common, but both describe calculated charm
- sycophantic
stronger negative tone; implies servile flattery toward a person in power
- unctuous
describes a greasy, exaggerated politeness that feels dishonest
- sincere
genuine and honest in manner, with no hidden agenda
- forthright
direct and honest, without manipulating through charm
用法筆記
Always carries a negative connotation — describes behaviour that is perceived as manipulative rather than genuinely warm. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense focuses on trying to get someone to like you (flattery, charm), while sense 1 focuses on implying something negative about a third party or situation.
同根字
- insinuate動詞C1
- insinuation名詞C1
- insinuatingly副詞C2
- insinuative形容詞C2