To hint (to smb., at smth.) (when intr., often foll by at; when tr., takes a clause as object) to suggest or imply indirectly ( ( -.), ( -.), ), implies the use of a remote or covert suggestion and often also connotes lack of candor, frankness, or straightforwardness
looking for a minute at the soft hinted green in the branches against the sky
he was not candid with her about his feelings; for once, when he had merely hinted at them to her, she had laughed
the Star Route frauds, hinted at while Hayes was president, were uncovered before the death of Garfield
The government minister hinted at an early election, but refused to give an exact date. , .
Mum's hinted to me (that) she might pay for my trip to Mexico if I pass all my exams. [+ (that) clause]
The government has pardoned 200 political prisoners and hinted at the early release of at least 170 more. [I usually + at]
To suggest to produce (an idea) in the mind (; (); ; (, , , )), emphasizes a putting into the mind as the result of an association of ideas, an awakening of a desire, or an initiating of a train of thought
the militant severity of his judgments, and the caustic wit of his comments, suggest... how long and bitter would be the struggle
designing attractive books with jackets that truly suggest their contents
he can suggest in his work the immobility of a plain or the extreme action of a bolt of lightning, without showing either
To suggest an idea/theory/hypothesis/price
I suggested to them waiting
Does the name suggest nothing to you? ?
An idea suggested itself to me. .
What does this shape suggest to you? - ?
She suggested (to us) that an exception be / should be made. , .
Did she suggest where we should meet? , ?
He told me a story which suggested a plot for a novel.
Does anything suggest itself (= Have you got any ideas about what we should do)?
To imply to communicate (an idea or feeling) without saying it directly, or (formal) to involve (something) or make it necessary ( , , ) not directly; is in general opposed to express; the term stresses a suggesting, or putting into the mind, of an idea, a thought, or a meaning that is involved in a statement, an action, a situation, or a word and forms a part, but not necessarily an obvious part, of its full signification or significance
the philosophy of Nature which is implied in Chinese art
dislikes intensely to say this; in chapter after chapter he approaches it and implies it, only to draw back from saying it quite baldly
Very often the difference between suggest and imply is not clear, though suggest often connotes the necessity of delicate perception and imply connotes the need of inference
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A competent portraitist knows how to imply the profile in the full face
the "sayings" of a community, its proverbs, are its characteristic comment upon life; they imply its history, suggest its attitude toward the world and its way of accepting life
His silence implied consent. .
It is not directly asserted, but it seems to be implied. , , , .
what are you implying by that remark?
He said he only had time for a couple of pints, implying that he normally drank more. [+ that clause]
I'm not implying anything about your cooking, but could we eat out tonight?
(formal) Socialism implies equality.
To intimate to make clear (what you think or want) without stating it directly; to hint; suggest; to proclaim; make known (; , ) directly; frequently implies a lighter or more elusive suggestion than hint but it connotes delicacy of approach rather than lack of candor or frankness
He said that he had to be prudent or might not be able to say all that he thought, thus intimating to his hearers that they might infer that he meant more
She lit another cigarette and he intimated his disapproval by coughing loudly.
She has intimated that she will resign if she loses the vote. [+ that clause]
To insinuate to suggest, without being direct, that something unpleasant is true ( , , ( -. ; ; , ( ) , , ), implies an artful hinting or a conveying, especially of an unpleasant or depreciative suggestion, in an underhanded or devious manner
By his tone and expression, rather than by his words, he insinuated that the boy was not to be trusted
he could quietly insinuate the most scandalously hilarious things about the Joneses
the voice that insinuates that Jews and Negroes and Catholics are inferior excrescences on our body politic
She insinuated (to us) that her partner had embezzled funds. , .
Are you insinuating (that) I'm losing my nerve? [+ (that) clause]
What are you insinuating, Daniel?
(formal disapproving) If you insinuate yourself into something, you use clever, secret and often unpleasant methods to gradually become part of it.
Over the years she insinuated herself into the great man's life.
It's a computer virus that insinuates itself into a system via other software.
To insinuate into ones favour
The spirit of scholastic erudition insinuated itself into Italian literature. .
That new student has no business trying to insinuate himself into the teacher's favour; it won't make any difference to his marks. ; .
to insinuate doubts through propaganda
