/ ɪnˈsɪnjueɪt; NAmE / verb
1.
to suggest indirectly that sth unpleasant is true
SYN imply :
[ v that ]
The article insinuated that he was having an affair with his friend's wife.
[ vn ]
What are you trying to insinuate?
an insinuating smile
2.
[ vn ] insinuate yourself into sth ( formal , disapproving ) to succeed in gaining sb's respect, affection, etc. so that you can use the situation to your own advantage :
In the first act, the villain insinuates himself into the household of the man he intends to kill.
3.
[ vn + adv. / prep. ] ( formal ) to slowly move yourself or a part of your body into a particular position or place :
She insinuated her right hand under his arm.
••
WORD ORIGIN
early 16th cent. (in the sense enter (a document) on the official register ): from Latin insinuat- introduced tortuously, from the verb insinuare , from in- in + sinuare to curve.