noun

insinuation

in-sin-yoo-AY-shun/ɪnˌsɪnjuˈeɪʃn/

An indirect suggestion of something negative or improper.

The coworkers' whispered insinuation casts suspicion on the colleague they glance toward.

Two coworkers whisper with subtle accusatory glance at third, no speech text.

Etymology

inLatininto

+sinuLatinto wind, bend, curve

+ationLatinact or process

The image of winding one's way in underlies the Latin noun's sense of entrance through a narrow way. An insinuation similarly introduces a suggestion indirectly, leaving its unpleasant point unstated.

In context

History Before Sleep29:35

They were presumed to be sexually experienced but without legitimate outlet which made them objects of body jokes and insinuation.

🏰🌾 Money, PROPERTY & WIDOWS — Women’s Rights in the Middle Ages | History For Sleep

More examples

His question carried an unpleasant insinuation.
The article relied on insinuation rather than evidence.
They resented the repeated insinuations about their motives.

Forms

insinuation · insinuations

insinuate verb — suggest something unpleasant indirectly

Similar words

implication: An implication can be neutral; an insinuation typically suggests something damaging or improper.
accusation: An accusation states blame more directly; an insinuation hints at it.