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suggestion

suggestion

24 3.5
A small sign that something is there
  • noun
  • /səˈdʒɛsʧən/
translation icon : toque
  • But in the background there's a suggestion that the golden sun and the cross on the hill promised something new and better for the future.

And then he there's like a veiled suggestion that Churchill had some debts that were paid off by.

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Examples

  • The painting contains a subtle suggestion of autumn colors in the leaves.

  • Look, there was never any suggestion of foul play.

  • First of all, there is a suggestion of some error.

  • It's a light sketch, a suggestion, but it's not what was there.

  • It's just like, it's like a suggestion of a coffee flavor.

  • But looking at our own data, there's a suggestion that we're seeing a reduction in the cases in the young.

  • Counsel is now making a veiled suggestion to the jury.

  • Perhaps there was just the slightest suggestion of a belly, which would also be the baby.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • There are flashing lights, a crumpled car, and suggestions of hurt passengers.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • His lips had receded somewhat and began to expose his teeth, with the suggestion of a macabre smile.

    Academic text (2007)

Synonyms

trace
vssuggestion
492 3.3

A small sign that something was there

focuses on tiny amounts or hints rather than only physical signs
a hint of
vssuggestion
180 2.4

A small amount of something you can just notice

is the neutral term for a tiny amount or small trace
hint
vssuggestion
153 1.5

A very small amount of something you can taste, see, or feel

is the neutral term for a tiny amount or small trace
a touch of
vssuggestion
66 2.3

A small amount of something added to improve or change it

is the general label for any tiny amount or subtle hint
smidge
vssuggestion
  • Informal
14 7.9

A very small amount of something

is the neutral term for tiny amounts suitable for all styles
smidgen
vssuggestion
  • Informal
9 7.3

A very small amount, like a tiny bit of salt

is the neutral term for very small amounts without slang
soupçon
vssuggestion
2 9.9

A very small amount of something, like a tiny taste or hint

is the broader word for tiny amounts or faint indications
tint
vssuggestion
1 3.6

A small amount of a feeling, like sadness or excitement

covers small quantities but not only subtle qualities

Antonyms

91 3.3

A large amount of something, more than you need

77 4.1

More than needed or wanted

Compounds

1 7.5

A suggestion given while someone is deeply relaxed to make them do something after waking

auto-suggestion
  • Specialized
8.2

To repeat positive statements to yourself to change your thoughts and behavior

auto-suggestion
  • Specialized
4.0

A feature that suggests completions as you type

Repeating positive phrases in your mind to change your thoughts or behavior

How Evident

evidence
1.8
sign
3.2
suggestion
24 3.5
hint
153 1.5

Surface Forms

suggestion singular
suggestions plural

Morphology

suggestion = suggest (semi-transparent) = suggest + ion

This sense is a metaphorical extension ('a hint' or slight indication) rather than a direct concrete proposal.

Etymology

Suggestion can also mean a very small hint because the root idea is about 'bringing' an idea into the mind in a small way. That's why a suggestion can be just a little sign or trace that makes you think of something.