SUGGEST Synonyms: 64 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of suggest are hint , imply , insinuate , and intimate . While all these words mean "to convey an idea indirectly," 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

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

The meanings of hint and suggest 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 do 'imply' and 'suggest' relate to one another?

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: Where would 'insinuate' be a reasonable alternative to 'suggest'?

While in some cases nearly identical to suggest , insinuate applies to the conveying of a usually unpleasant idea in a sly underhanded manner. // insinuated that there were shady dealings

Q: When might 'intimate' be a better fit than 'suggest'?

In some situations, the words intimate and suggest are roughly equivalent. However, intimate stresses delicacy of suggestion without connoting any lack of candor. // intimates that there is more to the situation than meets the eye

suggest

verb

səg-ˈjest

Definition of suggest

as in to indicate

to convey an idea indirectly this letter suggests that there's more going on than she's telling us

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to recommend

to put (something) forward as one's choice for a wise or proper course of action I suggested that they talk to a therapist about their marital problems

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to propose

to set before the mind for consideration might I suggest, for an appetizer, our jumbo shrimp cocktail?

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word suggest distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of suggest are hint, imply, insinuate, and intimate. While all these words mean "to convey an idea indirectly," 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

In what contexts can hint take the place of suggest?

The meanings of hint and suggest 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 do imply and suggest relate to one another?

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

Where would insinuate be a reasonable alternative to suggest?

While in some cases nearly identical to suggest, insinuate applies to the conveying of a usually unpleasant idea in a sly underhanded manner.

insinuated that there were shady dealings

When might intimate be a better fit than suggest?

In some situations, the words intimate and suggest are roughly equivalent. However, intimate stresses delicacy of suggestion without connoting any lack of candor.

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

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 suggest The timing suggested that the United States was consciously undercutting an ostensible ally, pressuring Zelensky to step aside or risk catastrophic outcomes on the battlefield. — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026 When suggesting a link (like a link to a voter portal, tracker, or locator), provide the markdown link early in the response or at the top of the relevant section. — Rakesh Agrawal, PC Magazine, 14 Oct. 2026 AutoCAM then suggests how to hold the part, picks the tools and generates the machining operations, followed by a material-removal simulation to check the job before any metal is cut. — New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2026 An out-of-state scholarship suggests a future, but scarcely defines the person who might live it. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for suggest

Recent Examples of Synonyms for suggest

Verb

Dash clues are used to indicate that their entries are part of a larger gimmick.

— Sam Corbin, New York Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Red indicates an address is unsafe to enter, while yellow restricts use.

— Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of indicate

Verb

The Commission’s proposed 46% target falls short of that ambition, and of its own analysis, which identifies 50% as the economically optimal pathway to 2040.

— Sophie Dembinski, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
To bypass this bottleneck, in 2024 her colleagues at Google Research proposed an alternative technique called cultivation, which works on a single state.

— Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of propose

Verb

Truist hiked its Meta Platforms price target to $1,000 from $763, implying almost 35% upside from yesterday's close.

— Jim Cramer, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026
It was implied that the residency would draw upon multiple bonds that the band has built with the venue, the city, and the surrounding Bay Area fanbase over the years.

— Benjy Eisen, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of imply

Verb

Inside, Kaylee is eager to prove herself by really learning laundry and nailing it; Fraser advises her to come up with a system and stick to it.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2026
In recent history, the Justice Department's practice has been to advise prosecutors not to take any overt investigative steps against members of Congress or candidates within 60 days of an election.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of advise

Verb

The Houthis have repeatedly attacked airports and oil infrastructure across the kingdom with drones and missiles that can change direction during flight, posing a challenge to interceptors.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026
Bristol officials say that comprehensive traffic studies have identified over 35 high-crash intersections across the city that pose immediate danger to drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.

— Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of pose

Verb

Any report that hints about slumping demand or higher-than-expected costs of building out AI infrastructure has frequently sent stocks on a rollercoaster ride.

— Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026
The filmmaker was hinting heavily at what might be in store for the festival’s surprise screening Wednesday evening at the Institut Lumière.

— Lise Pedersen, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of hint

Verb

The company also offers add-ons like external paddleboard carriers and full-length overland roof racks.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026
Back before season one started, Dale Washberg came into Hoot Owl Books and offered Lee a Jim Thompson quote to jibe with his preferred job title — truthstorian.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of offer

Browse Nearby Words

sugary

suggest

suggested

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Cite this Entry

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“Suggest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suggest. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of suggest

verb

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