insinuation
Hint at wrongdoing
An insinuation is an indirect suggestion, typically of something negative or discrediting.
Rather than stating outright, you hint: His question carried an insinuation that she hadn't earned her promotion.
The word often implies slyness or manipulation—the insinuator plants doubt while maintaining deniability.
To make an insinuation is to insinuate.
Indirect suggestion
- suggestionIdea proposed for consideration
- implicationIndirect suggestion or consequence
- innuendoOblique disparaging remark
- allusionIndirect reference to something
intimation · undertone · subtext · veiled · oblique · tacit · unspoken · implicit
Unconfirmed circulating story
- whisperSpeech without full voice
- hearsayUnverified secondhand information
- innuendoOblique disparaging remark
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
tittle-tattle · scuttlebutt · backbiting · murmur · grapevine · idle talk · malicious gossip · poison pen
Assertion lacking proof
- aspersionDefamatory remark
- imputationAscribing fault to another
- smearSpread or defame
- slurInsulting group label
slander · libel · defamation · finger-pointing · incrimination · blame · reproach · stigma
Crafty and calculating
- cunningSly, scheming cleverness
- calculatingColdly self-serving in strategy
- connivingSecretly planning wrongdoing
- underhandedSecretly dishonest or unfair
devious · sly · crafty · guile · duplicitous · disingenuous · insidious · Machiavellian
hint
Indirect suggestion
- suggestionIdea proposed for consideration
- implicationIndirect suggestion or consequence
- innuendoOblique disparaging remark
allusion · intimation · undertone · subtext · veiled · oblique · tacit · unspoken · implicit · coded
rumor
Unconfirmed circulating story
- whisperSpeech without full voice
- hearsayUnverified secondhand information
- innuendoOblique disparaging remark
scandal · tittle-tattle · scuttlebutt · backbiting · murmur · grapevine · idle talk · malicious gossip · poison pen · snide remark
allegation
Assertion lacking proof
- aspersionDefamatory remark
- imputationAscribing fault to another
- smearSpread or defame
slur · slander · libel · defamation · finger-pointing · incrimination · blame · reproach · stigma · vilification
scheming
Crafty and calculating
- cunningSly, scheming cleverness
- calculatingColdly self-serving in strategy
- connivingSecretly planning wrongdoing
underhanded · devious · sly · crafty · guile · duplicitous · disingenuous · insidious · Machiavellian · wily
- pragmaticspresupposition, context, inference, locution, pragmatics
- accusationsaccusation, accuse, accuser, allegation, allege
- passive aggressionsilent treatment, backhanded compliments, backhanded compliment, cold shoulder, eye rolling
- indirecthint, detour, roundabout, evasive, veiled
- indirectnesscircumlocution, euphemism, hedging, hint, hinting
- innuendoinnuendo, sexual innuendo, double entendre, double meaning, implied meaning
insinuationcommendation
Formal expression of approval
praise · compliment · adulation · tribute · endorsement
insinuationcandor
Unguarded truthfulness
frankness · forthrightness · transparency · honesty · openness