IMPLY Synonyms: 24 Similar and Opposite Words

imply

verb

im-ˈplī

Definition of imply next

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

Examples 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 Note the worldly age implied in his thousand-yard stare: Redmayne as a slightly less old man. —

Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 28 Nov. 2024 Shares have rallied 36% this year, with the firm’s $250 price target implying 20% upside from Tuesday’s close. —

Samantha Subin, CNBC, 27 Nov. 2024 Markets now imply 154 basis points of ECB easing by the end of next year, compared to just 65 basis points from the Fed. —

Wayne Cole, USA TODAY, 25 Nov. 2024 As the name implies, dish towels are used for drying the dishes. —

Lauren David, Southern Living, 25 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for imply

Recent Examples of Synonyms for imply

Verb

Fed fund futures trading as of mid-day Friday indicated a nearly 90% chance the central bank would cut by 25 basis points, according to CME FedWatch.

Lewis Krauskopf, USA TODAY, 7 Dec. 2024
There are reports coming from FanSided's Robert Murray indicating that the Red Sox made a strong push for Cleveland Guardians ace Shane Bieber before Bieber agreed to a two-year deal with Cleveland.

Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024