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   insinuate

   /ɪnˈsɪnjʊeɪt/

   verb

   • 1. suggest or hint (something bad) in an indirect and unpleasant way: "he was insinuating that I had no self-control" Similar implysuggesthintintimatewhisperindicateconvey the impressiongive a cluegive an inklingallude to the factmake reference to the factlet it be knowngive someone to understandgive someone to believeinformal:make outtip someone the wink
   • 2. slide (oneself or a thing) slowly and smoothly into a particular place: "I insinuated my shoulder in the gap" Similar slideslipmanoeuvreinsertedgeworkmove into position
   • ▪ manoeuvre oneself into (a favourable position) by subtle manipulation: "he insinuated himself into the king's confidence"

   Word Origin early 16th century (in the sense ‘enter (a document) on the official register’): from Latin insinuat- ‘introduced tortuously’, from the verb insinuare, from in- ‘in’ + sinuare ‘to curve’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. insinuative adjective
   • 2. insinuator noun

   Scrabble Points: 9

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