Synonyms for innuendo
Most common
All synonyms
Noun
1. Insinuation — A derogatory hint or reference to, or (often sexual) insinuation about, a person or thing
insinuation, hint, slur, intimation, allusion, implication, suggestion, reference, whisper
Other
Definitions
- n. 1
A derogatory hint or reference to, or (often sexual) insinuation about, a person or thing.
She made a devious innuendo about her opponent, who was embarrassed.
Forms
- Plural
- innuendos → insinuations, hints, slurs, intimations…
Choose the right word
Insinuation and innuendo are used in the bad sense; an insinuation is a covert or partly veiled injurious utterance, sometimes to the very person attacked; an innuendo is commonly secret as well as sly, as if pointing one out by a significant nod (L.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- hint Tom gets angry at the slightest hint of criticism.
- slur His sexist slur was broadcasted across the country.
- insinuation His voice squeaked when he retorted her insinuation.
- intimation He didn't give any intimation about that.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| innuendo | rising | |
| hint | rising | |
| slur | rising | |
| insinuation | rising | |
| intimation | falling |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 4 letters
- hint1, slur1
- 7 letters
- whisper2
- 8 letters
- allusion3, overtone3
- 9 letters
- reference3
- 10 letters
- suggestion3, intimation4
- 11 letters
- implication4, insinuation5
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (whisper2 = 2 syllables).
In other languages
- Français
- insinuation
- Italiano
- insinuazione
- Español
- insinuación