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 As the name suggests, the museum showcases a rotating series of contemporary and Latin American artists. — Nikkita Nair, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026 Early investigation details suggest the man was hit by a vehicle that left the area, according to the news release. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2026 More than doubling the cost of the latest iPhone might risk pricing out customers and hobbling Apple’s ubiquity, analysts suggested. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 7 Oct. 2026 The shrinking premium is especially notable given new research from the National Bureau of Economic Research suggesting a varied résumé matters more than ever for those aiming for the top job. — Muskaan Arshad, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for suggest

Recent Examples of Synonyms for suggest

Verb

Multiple sources have indicated that the final two executives in the frame are former Sky and BBC Three boss Stuart Murphy, and David Brindley, the CEO of Destination X producer Twofour.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham indicated that Iran may have played a role in the incident.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of indicate

Verb

Though professional society guidelines recommended against performing this biopsy on women 70 or older with early-stage cancer, other groups had reported that it was still being done.

— Allessandra DiCorato, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026
The finding prompted auditors to recommend the Legislature clarify remote work policies in state law.

— Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of recommend

Verb

Owners also proposed the Division Series, which has been a best-of-five since its introduction in 1995, to be a best-of-seven, but with a wild twist.

— Ryan Morik OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
The league did not propose changing the number of playoff teams from the current 12.

— Evan Drellich, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of propose

Verb

This implies that even if the Federal Reserve acts again before year end, any movement would more likely represent a limited policy fine tuning grounded in inflation and employment data.

— , CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
Whether cutting sulfur-rich foods and red meat for two weeks measurably reduces odor, the directional test Palinski-Wade’s guidance implies.

— Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of imply

Verb

However, a letter Lowen uncovers later claims the manuscript was purely fictional and a writing exercise she was advised to do by her publisher.

— Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026
Forge has brought in Head of Gaming & Interactive Experiences Léonidas Vesperini and former Lionsgate SVP Marc Lorber is advising the company, which launched over the summer.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of advise

Verb

Jon Stewart set his sights on AI on the latest episode of The Daily Show, unpacking the threats posed by the technology and Donald Trump‘s mediocre reaction.

— Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026
The season finale — or possibly the series finale, since HBO hasn’t renewed the show yet — wrapped up the mystery posed by the show’s premiere of who killed Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler).

— Jordan Moreau, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of pose

Verb

Participants hinted that the rally marked the beginning of a prolonged global campaign among artists and musicians, perhaps based in Chicago, to regulate AI in music and support human artists.

— Shun Graves, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026
Investigators haven't concluded whether the incident was state-backed or what the motive was, but authorities have strongly hinted that Iran is possibly involved.

— SYLVIA HUI, Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of hint

Verb

By upgrading synthetic skin from a passive sensor into an energy harvester, the Fudan team offers a clever alternative to deadweight batteries.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 8 Oct. 2026
Mitchell-Namdar said Pink Aid’s mission is to provide emergency aid assistance to those struggling during treatment, whether that means paying an electric bill, rent, offering wigs or lymphedema sleeves.

— Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of offer

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sugary

suggest

suggested

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“Suggest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suggest. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of suggest

verb

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