1.
[syn: ingratiating, insinuating, ingratiatory]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Insinuate \In*sin"u*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Insinuated; p.
pr. & vb. n. Insinuating.] [L. insinuatus, p. p. of
insinuareto insinuate; pref. in- in + sinus the bosom. See
Sinuous.]
[1913 Webster]
1. To introduce gently or slowly, as by a winding or narrow
passage, or a gentle, persistent movement.
[1913 Webster]
The water easily insinuates itself into, and
placidly distends, the vessels of vegetables.
--Woodward.
[1913 Webster]
2. To introduce artfully; to infuse gently; to instill.
[1913 Webster]
All the art of rhetoric, besides order and
clearness, are for nothing else but to insinuate
wrong ideas, move the passions, and thereby mislead
the judgment. --Locke.
[1913 Webster]
Horace laughs to shame all follies and insinuates
virtue, rather by familiar examples than by the
severity of precepts. --Dryden.
[1913 Webster]
3. To hint; to suggest by remote allusion; -- often used
derogatorily; as, did you mean to insinuate anything?
[1913 Webster]
4. To push or work (one's self), as into favor; to introduce
by slow, gentle, or artful means; to ingratiate; -- used
reflexively.
[1913 Webster]
He insinuated himself into the very good grace of
the Duke of Buckingham. --Clarendon.
Syn: To instill; hint; suggest; intimate.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Insinuating \In*sin"u*a`ting\, a.
Winding, creeping, or flowing in, quietly or stealthily;
suggesting; winning favor and confidence insensibly.
--Milton.
[1913 Webster]
His address was courteous, and even insinuating.
--Prescott.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
insinuating
adj 1: calculated to please or gain favor; "a smooth
ingratiating manner" [syn: ingratiating, insinuating,
ingratiatory]
Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0:
51 Moby Thesaurus words for "insinuating":
adulatory, allusive, allusory, bland, blandishing, blarneying,
buttery, cajoling, complimentary, courtierly, courtly, deferential,
disarming, fair-spoken, fawning, fine-spoken, flattering, fulsome,
gushing, honey-mouthed, honey-tongued, honeyed, implicational,
implicative, implicatory, indicative, inferential, insincere,
insinuative, insinuatory, ironic, mealymouthed, obsequious, oily,
oily-tongued, referential, saccharine, silken, silky, slimy,
slobbery, smarmy, smooth, smooth-spoken, smooth-tongued, soapy,
soft-soaping, suggestive, sycophantic, unctuous, wheedling