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Glite Dictionary
🤫 An indirect hint 🕴️ Subtle influence
insinuation

insinuation

1 7.7
A way of getting close to someone by praise or tricks
  • noun
  • /ˌɪn.sɪn.juˈeɪ.ʃən/
translation icon : adulación
  • Her constant compliments to the boss were an obvious insinuation that she wanted a promotion.

Examples

  • I want to see if you can write without all the insinuations and articulations.

    Academic text (2003)

  • Either all liberals are immoral atheist traitors and any insinuation that Bush has been less than perfect is a lie told by the liberal media, or Bush is Satan and all conservatives want a Taliban-like theocracy.

    Blog text (4)

  • My request for agreement is not intended as an insinuation of anything.

    Blog text (16)

  • It's routine to make insinuations in front of my daughter?

    Spinning Man (2018)

  • The Framers employed "all the arts of insinuation and influence to betray the people of the United States." 8

    Academic text (2016)

  • Peter, the phrase "she discussed the possible benefits of pursuing the charges against him" is a masterpiece of insinuation.

    Blog text (20)

  • As an amateur with a passion for photography, I increasingly find myself being "felt out" (pardon the insinuation!) for doing people's weddings.

    Blog text (25)

  • Or a kind of eerie holiness that came from him, with the insinuation of ruthlessness underneath.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • "Mungli has become rather... fond of you, lad," Phrenk said, putting a full load of insinuation on the word "fond."

    Fiction book (1993)

  • Whereas Lady Booby was entrapped by her tortuous insinuations, Mrs. Slipslop is much more direct:

    Academic text (1990)

Synonyms

coaxing
vsinsinuation
5 4.4

Gentle persuasion using praise or kind words to get someone to do something

relies on subtle indirect tactics often with manipulative intent to win acceptance
blandishment
vsinsinuation
  • Formal
2 9.8

A friendly compliment meant to persuade someone to do something

is about gaining acceptance through subtle indirect means rather than single flattering acts
ingratiation
vsinsinuation
9.1

Trying to make someone like you by saying nice things or doing favors

uses subtle or indirect means often involving manipulation to gain acceptance

Antonyms

honesty
365 1.0

Being truthful and fair in what you say and do

How Ingratiating

insinuation
1 7.7
flattery
37 4.7
compliment
342 1.6

Surface Forms

insinuation singular
insinuations plural

Morphology

insinuation = insinuate (semi-transparent) = insinuate + ion

Derives from the verb 'insinuate' but here refers specifically to the act of 'insinuating oneself' (gaining acceptance by subtle means), a reflexive/extended sense that is less obvious to learners familiar only with the 'hint' sense.

Etymology

Insinuation also comes from Latin in- 'into' and sinuare 'to bend', giving the image of someone slowly sliding into a place or a person's favour, like the slow curve of something sinuous. That's why insinuation can mean using small, gentle actions or words to 'slip into' someone's trust or approval.