suggests

Puts an idea

Suggests means to put forward an idea or possibility without asserting it directly.

You might suggest a restaurant for dinner or suggest that someone see a doctor.

The word carries tentativeness—a suggestion can be accepted or rejected.

Things can also suggest without speaking: Her expression suggested disapproval.

Evidence suggests conclusions; details suggest meanings.

The data suggests a correlation, but more research is needed.

indicate

sign

Mark conveying information

signalMessage-conveying cue
indicationSign of what's coming
evidenceFacts supporting truth

pointer · cue · clue · trace · marker · symptom · hint · forewarning · premonition · portent

hint

implication

Indirect suggestion or consequence

insinuationIndirect, usually negative suggestion
intimationIndirect indication of something
allusionIndirect reference to something

innuendo · subtext · undertone · overtone · connotation · nuance · inference · inkling · whisper · glimmer

speculate

conjecture

Guess from limited facts

hypothesizePropose a tentative explanation
theorizeForm explanatory suppositions
supposeAccept as true tentatively

posit · postulate · guess · surmise · venture · muse · ponder · wonder · imagine · speculate

propose

recommend

Suggest with approval

adviseGive counsel to
offerProposal to provide
submitPresent for consideration

present · advance · float · broach · volunteer · proffer · nominate · advocate · endorse · urge

evoke

inspire

Stir to action

promptIncite to action
triggerWhat initiates action
sparkTiny fiery particle

conjure · invoke · elicit · arouse · stir · awaken · summon · remind · association · connection

Categories

createscreates, invents, devises, designs, produces
resemblanceresemble, similar, alike, lookalike, likeness
signifiesrepresents, means, signifies, denotes, stands for
highlightshighlight, highlights, high point, spotlight, peak
pops upappears, arises, emerges, crops up, shows up
attributionattributed to, cited, according to, per, via

Opposites

directness of communication

suggestsstates

Modes of being

declares · asserts · announces · proclaims · explicates

authority and obligation

suggestscommands

Authoritative orders given

demands · orders · dictates · requires · mandates

epistemic certainty

suggestsconfirms

Establishes as fact

proves · demonstrates · establishes · affirms · asserts

Phrases

suggestion boxContainer for anonymous recommendations
suggestion boxesContainers for submitted ideas
serving suggestionIdealized plating shown on packaging
hypnotic suggestionCommand given under trance
suggestive contentImplicitly adult material
suggested tipProposed amount for service

Family

suggest, suggestion, suggested, suggesting, suggestive, suggestibility, suggester, resuggested

Familiarity: Top 5,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated G