insinuating (adj.)

"wheedling, ingratiating," 1590s, present-participle adjective from insinuate (v.). Related: Insinuatingly.

Entries linking to insinuating

1520s, "to covertly and subtly introduce into the mind or heart" (trans.), from Latin insinuatus, past participle of insinuare "to thrust in, push in, make a way; creep in, intrude, bring in by windings and curvings, wind one's way into," from in- "in" (from PIE root *en "in") + sinuare "to wind, bend, curve," from sinus "a curve, winding" (see sinus).

Intransitive meaning "hint obliquely" is from 1560s. Meaning "maneuver (someone or something) into some desired position or condition" is from 1570s. Physical or literal sense of "to introduce tortuously or indirectly" is from 1640s. Related: Insinuated; insinuating.

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updated on December 03, 2015

Definitions of insinuating from WordNet

insinuating (adj.)

calculated to please or gain favor;

Synonyms: ingratiating / ingratiatory

From wordnet.princeton.edu, not affiliated with etymonline.

Dictionary entries near insinuating

insignificance

insignificant

insincere

insincerity

insinuate

insinuating

insinuation

insipid

insipidity

insipience

insipient