Insinuate
[ɪn'sɪnjʊeɪt] or [ɪn'sɪnjuet]
Definition
(verb.) introduce or insert (oneself) in a subtle manner; 'He insinuated himself into the conversation of the people at the nearby table'.
Typed by Ewing--From WordNet
Definition
(v. t.) To introduce gently or slowly, as by a winding or narrow passage, or a gentle, persistent movement.
(v. t.) To introduce artfully; to infuse gently; to instill.
(v. t.) To hint; to suggest by remote allusion; -- often used derogatorily; as, did you mean to insinuate anything?
(v. t.) To push or work (one's self), as into favor; to introduce by slow, gentle, or artful means; to ingratiate; -- used reflexively.
(v. i.) To creep, wind, or flow in; to enter gently, slowly, or imperceptibly, as into crevices.
(v. i.) To ingratiate one's self; to obtain access or favor by flattery or cunning.
Inputed by Camille
Synonyms and Synonymous
v. a. [1]. Introduce gently.[2]. Ingratiate, push artfully.[3]. Instil (artfully), infuse, inculcate.[4]. Hint, suggest, intimate, allude to, point to, refer to, remind of, put in mind of.
Checker: Vernon
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Introduce, insert, worm, ingratiate, intimate, suggest, infuse, hint
ANT:Withdraw, retract, alienate, extract
Checked by Godiva
Definition
v.t. to introduce gently or artfully: to hint esp. a fault: to work into favour.—v.i. to creep or flow in: to enter gently: to obtain access by flattery or stealth.—adj. Insin′uating tending to insinuate or enter gently: insensibly winning confidence.—adv. Insin′uatingly.—n. Insinuā′tion act of insinuating: power of insinuating: that which is insinuated: a hint esp. conveying an indirect imputation.—adj. Insin′uative insinuating or stealing on the confidence: using insinuation.—n. Insin′uator.—adj. Insin′uatory.
Typed by Laverne
Examples
- Suppose I so repeated it to Mr Boffin, as to insinuate that my sensitive delicacy and honour--' 'Very good words, Sophronia. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Not that I presume to insinuate, however, that _some_ people may not think _you_ perfection already. Jane Austen. Emma.
- You insinuate that all the frank kindness I have shown you has been a complicated, a bold, and an immodest man?uvre to ensnare a husband. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Carefully she drew up the wounded member to insinuate it gently beyond the tight pressing bars. Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
- The reason is all mine, I do not insinuate that it is in any way yours. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- There is a type of radical who has an idea that he can insinuate advanced ideas into legislation without being caught. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- If you mean to insinuate that _I_ am, I consider that you are guilty of impertinence. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Bertha can already make her believe anything she pleases--and I'm afraid she's begun, my poor child, by insinuating horrors about you. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- Lord Raymond presented himself to the house with fearless confidence and insinuating address. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- So insinuating was Mrs Lammle that she got half a dozen ms into the word before she got it out. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- So you needn't write touching notes and smile in that insinuating way, for it won't do a bit of good, and I won't have it. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- But where his ruder blows could not penetrate, the fine, insinuating blade of Loerke's insect-like comprehension could. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- The first is, to gain over my adversary's lawyer with a double fee, who will then betray his client by insinuating that he hath justice on his side. Jonathan Swift. Gulliver's Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World.
- You have a quick perception, you have humour, you have ease, you have insinuating manners, you have a good appearance; in effect, you are a gentleman! Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- They insinuated themselves into the substances about them, and the impediments to their progress yielded at their touch. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- What I insinuated was, that my Georgiana's little heart was growing conscious of a vacancy. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- This class, we have further insinuated, must be able to talk freely and communicate easily. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- How many times has she saucily insinuated that all my affairs are the secret of Polichinelle! Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- Shall I mention, sir,' insinuated the landlord, expecting it to be received as a matter of course, 'the form of a reference? Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Another modification of Prunes and Prism insinuated itself on Little Dorrit's notice very shortly after their arrival. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- Bella insinuated. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- But Socrates is not disposed to quarrel about words, if, as he significantly insinuates, his adversary has changed his mind. Plato. The Republic.
Checker: Raffles