What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
imply
Example
She didn't say it, but her tone implied that she was not happy with the situation. [implied: past tense verb]
Example
His words seemed to imply that he knew more than he was letting on. [implying: present participle]
insinuate
Example
He insinuated that I was lying about my whereabouts that night. [insinuated: past tense verb]
Example
She insinuated that I was not qualified for the job because of my age. [insinuating: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Imply is more commonly used than insinuate in everyday language. Imply is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while insinuate is less common and typically used in situations where there is suspicion or doubt.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between imply and insinuate?
Both imply and insinuate can be used in formal and informal contexts, but insinuate is generally considered more informal and colloquial than imply.
