INTIMATE Synonyms: 205 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of intimate are hint , imply , insinuate , and suggest . While all these words mean "to convey an idea indirectly," intimate stresses delicacy of suggestion without connoting any lack of candor. // intimates that there is more to the situation than meets the eye

Q: In what contexts can 'hint' take the place of 'intimate'?

The meanings of hint and intimate largely overlap; however, hint implies the use of slight or remote suggestion with a minimum of overt statement. // hinted that she might get the job

Q: How are the words 'imply' and 'suggest' related as synonyms of 'intimate'?

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 would 'insinuate' be a good substitute for 'intimate'?

The words insinuate and intimate can be used in similar contexts, 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 'suggest' be used to replace 'intimate'?

The synonyms suggest and intimate are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

intimate 1 of 3

adjective

ˈin-tə-mət

Definition of intimate

as in close

closely acquainted intimate friends who can practically finish each other's sentences

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in confidential

not known or meant to be known by the general populace they trusted each other enough to share intimate thoughts

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

intimate

2 of 3

noun

ˈin-tə-mət

as in friend

a person who has a strong liking for and trust in another usually quite aloof in public, he's actually very relaxed with his intimates

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

intimate

3 of 3

verb

ˈin-tə-ˌmāt

as in to indicate

to convey an idea indirectly trying to intimate that there was more going on than anyone knew

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word intimate distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of intimate are hint, imply, insinuate, and suggest. While all these words mean "to convey an idea indirectly," intimate stresses delicacy of suggestion without connoting any lack of candor.

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

In what contexts can hint take the place of intimate?

The meanings of hint and intimate largely overlap; however, hint implies the use of slight or remote suggestion with a minimum of overt statement.

hinted that she might get the job

How are the words imply and suggest related as synonyms of intimate?

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 would insinuate be a good substitute for intimate?

The words insinuate and intimate can be used in similar contexts, but insinuate applies to the conveying of a usually unpleasant idea in a sly underhanded manner.

insinuated that there were shady dealings

When could suggest be used to replace intimate?

The synonyms suggest and intimate are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

Example 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 intimate

Adjective

As sleep trackers pile up ever more intimate biometric data, keeping that processing local, and actually using it to change what happens during the night instead of just reporting on it, feels like a smart pivot. — New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026 Jackson was suspended in September 2024 for violating the NFL Personal Conduct Policy in connection to an encounter with a woman pertaining to the taping of their intimate relations. — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Noun

Violence is tempered by stillness, terror slips into wonder and the intimate expands into the infinite. — Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 The viral swimsuit is available in 20 different colors, ranging from sizes XS to XL, and that's not the only swim offering this intimates brand offers. — Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 24 June 2026

Verb

Berry’s fiancé Van Hunt treated her to intimate dinners, boat rides, and wine tastings. — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Aug. 2026 From scenic tours of national parks to intimate ranch experiences, this is your opportunity to embrace the rugged charm, raw beauty, and unforgettable adventure of the American West. — Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for intimate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for intimate

Adjective

With six couples, having two separate houses gave us space to spread out while keeping everyone close enough to gather for dinner, drinks, and games.

— Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Oct. 2026
These regions could warrant closer investigation, but the assessment does not establish that any is suitable for a future greenhouse.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of close

Adjective

And a later district filing to the state acknowledged that more than 500 people who worked for district contractors likely had Social Security numbers and other confidential information exposed.

— Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Ziccarelli said that Cochran claimed the charges were withdrawn because the defendant was working as a confidential informant.

— Mike Darnay, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of confidential

Noun

But two years ago, Gyles Brandreth, an author and friend of Christopher's, traveled to New York as an emissary of Queen Camilla hoping to arrange an anniversary stay at Buckingham Palace for the 105-year-old fleecy emigres.

— STEVE HENDRIX THE WASHINGTON POST, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
Lee recruited a friend to help move the box to her bedroom, but the setup itself took less than 10 minutes.

— Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of friend

Verb

But California Institute of Technology neuroscientist Ian Anderson, who studies social media habits, says automatic behaviors can also just indicate an ingrained habit.

— Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Pastries containing squash for which there is a poster indicating a shelf life of two days under refrigeration, were for sale and at room temperature without time-mark indicators to be discarded.

— NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of indicate

Adjective

The answer is that there are some cases where quantum waves interfere constructively and give rise to a pattern familiar from classical physics.

— Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
For experienced yogis, doing yoga from a chair can offer new ways to explore familiar movements, says Pate, who incorporates a chair into many of her regular yoga classes.

— Jennifer Heimlich, Time, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of familiar

Noun

Keith David, Macon Blair, Killer Mike, Cody Lightning, Siena East, and Michael Hitchcock all return as some of Lee’s Tulsa-area buddies, employees, and resentful acquaintances.

— Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026
Mitt’s old fishing buddy Hewey (John Ortiz) tells Jay that his father plunged into the ocean at the edge of a steep underwater canyon off Monastery Beach, so that’s where Jay is headed.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of buddy

Verb

Because light obeys a superposition principle even under classical physics, this experimental breakthrough doesn’t imply that Schrödinger’s equation necessarily applies to objects 12,900 kilometers wide.

— Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
But to imply that a world-class athlete is exaggerating an injury to preserve his reputation is a staggering lapse in judgment.

— Matt Calkins OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of imply

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“Intimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intimate. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of intimate

adjective

noun

verb

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