INSINUATE • FREE-TRANSLATOR.COM • Definition of Insinuate

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/ɪnsˈɪnjueɪt/ Listen

verb

Insinuate v. t. (past & past part. insinuated; pres. part. insinuating)

1.

To introduce gently or slowly, as by a winding or narrow passage, or a gentle, persistent movement. "The water easily insinuates itself into, and placidly distends, the vessels of vegetables."

2.

To introduce artfully; to infuse gently; to instill. "All the art of rhetoric, besides order and clearness, are for nothing else but to insinuate wrong ideas, move the passions, and thereby mislead the judgment." "Horace laughs to shame all follies and insinuates virtue, rather by familiar examples than by the severity of precepts."

3.

To hint; to suggest by remote allusion; often used derogatorily; as, did you mean to insinuate anything?

4.

To push or work (one's self), as into favor; to introduce by slow, gentle, or artful means; to ingratiate; used reflexively. "He insinuated himself into the very good grace of the Duke of Buckingham."

Synonyms: To instill; hint; suggest; intimate.

Insinuate v. i.

1.

To creep, wind, or flow in; to enter gently, slowly, or imperceptibly, as into crevices.

2.

To ingratiate one's self; to obtain access or favor by flattery or cunning. "He would insinuate with thee but to make thee sigh." "To insinuate, flatter, bow, and bend my limbs."

See images of 'Insinuate'

Etymology of 'Insinuate'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Insinuate" Quotes from Famous Books

... had somewhat a difficult part to play, for most agents have a desire of becoming confidants also, and that Mrs. Hazleton determined her attorney should not be. The task was to insinuate her purposes rather than to speak them—to act, without betraying the motive of action—to make another act, without ...

— The International Monthly, Volume 2, No. 4, March, 1851 • Various

... Church of Rome. Yes, you never burned a human being alive—you never clapped your hands as the death-shriek proclaimed that the lion's fang had gone home into the most vital part of the victim's frame; but did you never rob him of his friends?—gravely shake your head and oracularly insinuate that he was leading souls to hell?—chill the affections of his family?—take from him his good name? Did you never with delight see his Church placarded as the Man of Sin, and hear the platform denunciations which branded it with the spiritual ...

— Sermons Preached at Brighton - Third Series • Frederick W. Robertson

... an authority like that which an earthly sovereign exerts over his subjects and vassals. Whether this god, therefore, be considered as their peculiar patron, or as the general sovereign of heaven, his votaries will endeavour, by every art, to insinuate themselves into his favour; and supposing him to be pleased, like themselves, with praise and flattery, there is no eulogy or exaggeration which will be spared in their addresses to him. In proportion as men's fears or distresses become more ...

— Hume - (English Men of Letters Series) • T.H. Huxley

... is coquetting with you. She chooses this moment to force from you your pretended opinion of one and another of her friends, and to insinuate the price of the articles of her dress you so much admire. Nothing is too dear to please you. She sends the ...

— Analytical Studies • Honore de Balzac

... rule in France, that every person in that kingdom should love every king they have in his turn? What government is formed for general happiness? Where is not it thought heresy by the majority, to insinuate that the felicity of one man ought not to be preferred to that Of Millions? Had not I better, at sixty-eight, leave men to these preposterous notions, than return to Bishop Hoadley, and sigh? Not but I have a heartfelt satisfaction ...

— Letters of Horace Walpole, V4 • Horace Walpole

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