insinuating
Hinting at subtly
Insinuating describes speech or behavior that suggests something indirectly, often something unpleasant or discrediting: an insinuating remark about her qualifications.
The word also describes a manner that works its way into favor through subtle, often sly means: his insinuating charm, an insinuating smile.
Both senses carry undertones of manipulation or hidden intent.
Suggesting without stating directly
- hintingSuggesting indirectly
- intimatingConveying indirectly
- alludingReferencing indirectly
- indicatingShowing or pointing to
innuendo · implication · connotation · overtone · undertone · inkling · intimation · veiled
Stealthily deceptive
- furtiveSecretive and sly
- covertIntentionally concealed
- subtleNot immediately obvious
- stealthySecretly cautious in movement
sidelong · knowing · coy · arch · smirking · slippery · evasive · sideways
Coldly self-serving in strategy
- connivingSecretly planning wrongdoing
- schemingCrafty and calculating
- underhandedSecretly dishonest or unfair
- cunningSly, scheming cleverness
crafty · wily · devious · guileful · coercive · exploitative · controlling · duplicitous
Verbally attacking credibility
- aspersingAttacking someone's character falsely
- smearingSpreading by rubbing
- defamingHarming reputation falsely
- maligningSaying false, harmful things
slandering · questioning · doubting · suspicious · damaging · disparaging · backbiting · mudslinging
implying
Suggesting without stating directly
- hintingSuggesting indirectly
- intimatingConveying indirectly
- alludingReferencing indirectly
indicating · innuendo · implication · connotation · overtone · undertone · inkling · intimation · veiled · oblique
sneaky
Stealthily deceptive
stealthy · sidelong · knowing · coy · arch · smirking · slippery · evasive · sideways · glancing
calculating
Coldly self-serving in strategy
- connivingSecretly planning wrongdoing
- schemingCrafty and calculating
- underhandedSecretly dishonest or unfair
cunning · crafty · wily · devious · guileful · coercive · exploitative · controlling · duplicitous · disingenuous
impugning
Verbally attacking credibility
- aspersingAttacking someone's character falsely
- smearingSpreading by rubbing
- defamingHarming reputation falsely
maligning · slandering · questioning · doubting · suspicious · damaging · disparaging · backbiting · mudslinging · gossiping
insinuatingdirect
Undeviating or to guide
explicit · blunt · straightforward · forthright · outspoken
insinuatingalienating
Causing emotional separation
repulsive · off-putting · disdainful · haughty · arrogant