IMPLY Synonyms: 24 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'imply' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of imply are hint , insinuate , intimate , and suggest . While all these words mean "to convey an idea indirectly," imply is close to suggest but may indicate a more definite or logical relation of the unexpressed idea to the expressed. // measures implying that bankruptcy was imminent

Q: When is it sensible to use 'hint' instead of 'imply'?

The words hint and imply are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, hint implies the use of slight or remote suggestion with a minimum of overt statement. // hinted that she might get the job

Q: When can 'insinuate' be used instead of 'imply'?

The synonyms insinuate and imply are sometimes interchangeable, but insinuate applies to the conveying of a usually unpleasant idea in a sly underhanded manner. // insinuated that there were shady dealings

Q: When could 'intimate' be used to replace 'imply'?

Although the words intimate and imply have much in common, intimate stresses delicacy of suggestion without connoting any lack of candor. // intimates that there is more to the situation than meets the eye

Q: Where would 'suggest' be a reasonable alternative to 'imply'?

While in some cases nearly identical to imply , suggest may stress putting into the mind by association of ideas, awakening of a desire, or initiating a train of thought. // a film title that suggests its subject matter

imply

verb

im-ˈplī

Definition of imply next

as in to indicate

to convey an idea indirectly they may have implied that they'd help, but they didn't actually say so

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word imply distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of imply are hint, insinuate, intimate, and suggest. While all these words mean "to convey an idea indirectly," imply is close to suggest but may indicate a more definite or logical relation of the unexpressed idea to the expressed.

measures implying that bankruptcy was imminent

When is it sensible to use hint instead of imply?

The words hint and imply are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, hint implies the use of slight or remote suggestion with a minimum of overt statement.

hinted that she might get the job

When can insinuate be used instead of imply?

The synonyms insinuate and imply are sometimes interchangeable, but insinuate applies to the conveying of a usually unpleasant idea in a sly underhanded manner.

insinuated that there were shady dealings

When could intimate be used to replace imply?

Although the words intimate and imply have much in common, intimate stresses delicacy of suggestion without connoting any lack of candor.

intimates that there is more to the situation than meets the eye

Where would suggest be a reasonable alternative to imply?

While in some cases nearly identical to imply, suggest may stress putting into the mind by association of ideas, awakening of a desire, or initiating a train of thought.

a film title that suggests its subject matter

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of imply That this was included in a campaign video implies Vice President Kamala Harris and the Democratic Party were part of this non-existent group. —

David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024 Unlike traditional methods, where consent is implied by mere attendance and personal information (name, address and email) is required, Impulse lets the guest take ownership of their images without divulging personal data. —

Meredith Ogilvie-Thompson, Variety, 4 Nov. 2024 While disavowing violence, some Trump supporters also said or implied that action of some kind could ensue if the election results are perceived as unfair. —

Zac Anderson, USA TODAY, 3 Nov. 2024 However, Trump implied during a rally in Henderson, Nevada, on Thursday that Kennedy would play a role in shaping women's health care policies. —

Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for imply

Recent Examples of Synonyms for imply

Verb

Along with expanding their hardware into more storefronts, Radar will also use the funding to release additional offerings about customer behavior—like whether a customer picks up and places back down an item, indicating there was something about it the shopper didn’t like.

Alexandra York, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
This indicates that the outer and internal tissues have thawed evenly.

Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2024