imply

verb

im-ˈplī How to pronounce imply (audio)
Definition of implynext
as in to indicate
to convey an idea indirectly they may have implied that they'd help, but they didn't actually say so

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word imply distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of imply are hint, insinuate, intimate, and suggest. While all these words mean "to convey an idea indirectly," 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

When is it sensible to use hint instead of imply?

The words hint and imply are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, hint implies the use of slight or remote suggestion with a minimum of overt statement.

hinted that she might get the job

When can insinuate be used instead of imply?

The synonyms insinuate and imply are sometimes interchangeable, but insinuate applies to the conveying of a usually unpleasant idea in a sly underhanded manner.

insinuated that there were shady dealings

When could intimate be used to replace imply?

Although the words intimate and imply have much in common, intimate stresses delicacy of suggestion without connoting any lack of candor.

intimates that there is more to the situation than meets the eye

Where would suggest be a reasonable alternative to imply?

While in some cases nearly identical to imply, 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

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 imply However, as the name implies, this property is perhaps best known for its three on-site hot springs, the hottest of which bubbles away at a toasty 106°F. —Mae Hamilton, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2025 But this one builds to a devastating finale, exploring a darker subtext wherein the girls’ motives and feelings are implied, but never explicitly confirmed. —Peter Debruge, Variety, 7 July 2025 This implies a kind of agenda, a kind of a political agenda. —CBS News, 6 July 2025 Billionaire hedge-fund manager Bill Ackman offered to bankroll someone, anyone, who would run against Mamdani, implying his mayoralty would spur a flight with the ultrarich. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 27 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for imply
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imply
  1. indicate
  2. suggest
  3. hint
Verb
  • While the door-kicking challenge has existed for years, multiple agencies have issued recent warnings, indicating a possible uptick in the trend this summer.
    — Audrey Conklin, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2025
  • Look for the first hints of color change to indicate a tomato is ready to harvest.
    — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 5 July 2025
Definition of indicate
Verb
  • But only $2 million is being allocated to nutrition, an amount experts suggest is inadequate.
    — Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • But just 3% percent of those users pay for access to the software, Menlo estimated based on the survey’s results—suggesting 97% of users only use the free tier of AI tools.
    — Billy Perrigo, Time, 1 July 2025
Definition of suggest
Verb
  • The Trump administration has since hinted that some trading partners might get more time for talks.
    — Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Twin Cities, 7 July 2025
  • However, recent studies have hinted some Type Ia supernovae may be better explained by a double explosion that is triggered before the star reaches this critical mass.
    — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 2 July 2025
Definition of hint

Browse Nearby Words

imploring
imply
implying
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Cite this Entry

“Imply.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imply. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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