insinuative

in·sin·u·ate

 (ĭn-sĭn′yo͞o-āt′)

v. in·sin·u·at·ed, in·sin·u·at·ing, in·sin·u·ates

v.tr.

1. To express or otherwise convey (a thought, for example) in an indirect or insidious way. See Synonyms at suggest.

2.

a. To maneuver or insert (oneself) into a place: "One of the boys insinuated himself next to me and squeezed my hand" (Caroline Preston).

b. To cause (oneself) to be involved or accepted by subtle and artful means: insinuated himself into court intrigues; insinuated herself into my good graces.

v.intr.

To make insinuations.

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[Latin īnsinuāre, īnsinuāt- : in-, in; see in-² + sinuāre, to curve (from sinus, curve).]

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in·sin′u·a′tive adj.

in·sin′u·a′tor n.

in·sin′u·a·tor′y (-yo͞o-ə-tôr′ē) adj.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Thesaurus

insinuative

adjective

Provoking a change of outlook and especially gradual doubt and suspicion:

insinuating, insinuatory, suggestive.

The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.