insinuation

[ in-sin-yoo-ey-shuh n ]

/ ɪnˌsɪn yuˈeɪ ʃən /

an indirect or covert suggestion or hint, especially of a derogatory nature: She made nasty insinuations about her rivals.

covert or artful suggestion or hinting, as of something implied: His methods of insinuation are most ingenious.

subtle or artful instillment into the mind.

the art or power of stealing into the affections and pleasing; ingratiation: He made his way by flattery and insinuation.

Archaic. a slow winding, worming, or stealing in.

Obsolete. an ingratiating act or speech.

Origin of insinuation

First recorded in 1520–30, insinuation is from the Latin word insinuātion- (stem of insinuātiō). See insinuate, -ion

pre·in·sin·u·a·tion, noun

But the insinuation that it contains an inherent nefarious motive is simply a means of dismissing the content.

What We Talk About When We Talk About BDS |Hannah Weisfeld |November 5, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
Technically true, but highly misleading in its insinuation that American jobs are being moved overseas.

Is the 2012 Election Finally Breaking Barack Obama’s Way? |Howard Kurtz |November 3, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
Its insinuation into the economy of Iran had been widely observed for years.

Iran's Dangerous Power Vacuum |Gary Sick |November 26, 2009 |DAILY BEAST
They aim at telling a story, or conveying an insinuation, rather than at burlesquing persons.

Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 64, No. 397, November 1848 |Various

In spite of strenuous search they were not found and Johann let fall an insinuation that the search was a sham.

The Life of Ludwig van Beethoven, Volume III (of 3) |Alexander Wheelock Thayer
In reply the wily Mexican attempted to convey an insinuation of bad faith on the part of the American government.

The War With Mexico, Volume I (of 2) |Justin H. Smith
But when it is intimated that all this is necessarily and inevitably so, I repel the insinuation.

The Bobbin Boy |William M. Thayer
"There is my right hand," answered Albornoz, too politic to heed the insinuation.

Rienzi |Edward Bulwer Lytton

insinuation

/ (ɪnˌsɪnjʊˈeɪʃən) /

an indirect or devious hint or suggestion

the act or practice of insinuating