insinuate

Universal Words verb 1 to suggest indirectly that sth unpleasant is true: [Vthat] The article insinuated that he was having an affair with his friend's wife. * [VN] What are you trying to insinuate? * an insinuating smile / glance / tone 2 [VN] ~ 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.