insinuate

 
Pronunciation: /ɪnˈsɪnjʊeɪt/

verb

[with object]
  • 1suggest or hint (something bad) in an indirect and unpleasant way: [with clause]: he was insinuating that she slept her way to the top (as adjective insinuating) dirty, insinuating laughter
  • 2 (insinuate oneself into) manoeuvre oneself into (a favourable position) by subtle manipulation: he insinuated himself into the king’s confidence
  • 3 [with object and adverbial of direction] slide (oneself or a thing) slowly and smoothly into a particular place: I insinuated my shoulder in the gap

Derivatives

insinuatingly

adverb

insinuator

noun

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'