INTIMATE Synonyms: 205 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'intimate' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of intimate are hint , imply , insinuate , and suggest . While all these words mean "to convey an idea indirectly," intimate stresses delicacy of suggestion without connoting any lack of candor. // intimates that there is more to the situation than meets the eye

Q: In what contexts can 'hint' take the place of 'intimate'?

The meanings of hint and intimate largely overlap; however, hint implies the use of slight or remote suggestion with a minimum of overt statement. // hinted that she might get the job

Q: How are the words 'imply' and 'suggest' related as synonyms of 'intimate'?

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

Q: When would 'insinuate' be a good substitute for 'intimate'?

The words insinuate and intimate can be used in similar contexts, but insinuate applies to the conveying of a usually unpleasant idea in a sly underhanded manner. // insinuated that there were shady dealings

Q: When could 'suggest' be used to replace 'intimate'?

The synonyms suggest and intimate are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

intimate 1 of 3

adjective

ˈin-tə-mət

Definition of intimate

as in close

closely acquainted intimate friends who can practically finish each other's sentences

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in confidential

not known or meant to be known by the general populace they trusted each other enough to share intimate thoughts

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

intimate

2 of 3

noun

ˈin-tə-mət

as in friend

a person who has a strong liking for and trust in another usually quite aloof in public, he's actually very relaxed with his intimates

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

intimate

3 of 3

verb

ˈin-tə-ˌmāt

as in to indicate

to convey an idea indirectly trying to intimate that there was more going on than anyone knew

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word intimate distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of intimate are hint, imply, insinuate, and suggest. While all these words mean "to convey an idea indirectly," intimate stresses delicacy of suggestion without connoting any lack of candor.

intimates that there is more to the situation than meets the eye

In what contexts can hint take the place of intimate?

The meanings of hint and intimate largely overlap; however, hint implies the use of slight or remote suggestion with a minimum of overt statement.

hinted that she might get the job

How are the words imply and suggest related as synonyms of intimate?

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 would insinuate be a good substitute for intimate?

The words insinuate and intimate can be used in similar contexts, but insinuate applies to the conveying of a usually unpleasant idea in a sly underhanded manner.

insinuated that there were shady dealings

When could suggest be used to replace intimate?

The synonyms suggest and intimate are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

Example 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 intimate

Adjective

The fewer than 200 attendees at last week’s semi-secret session in the museum’s intimate Clive Davis Theater had done a good job of helping keep the nature of the performance under wraps until now. — Chris Willman, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026 Guests can even use the space to host an intimate dinner with a private chef or watch a film under the stars. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026

Noun

Fruit of the Loom already has a reputation for creating comfortable intimates and this bra falls right in line, while also remaining basically invisible under clothing. — Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 10 June 2026 Washing intimates in cold water on the delicate cycle keeps the fibers from losing their stretch. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 June 2026

Verb

Some of Brown-Forman’s advisers had privately intimated to Sazerac’s advisers that the Brown family, the controlling shareholders of Brown-Forman, were not interested in the offer on the table weeks ago, according to some of the people. — Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 26 July 2026 The governor’s office intimated that the federal government was investigating payments made to Siebel Newsom’s film production company. — Terry Collins, USA Today, 15 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for intimate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for intimate

Adjective

California Cruise is even closer than expected, with deliveries slated to begin next year.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026
The success of this trial was possible through the close and constructive cooperation between the participating German Air Force organisations, the exercise management team and the expert teams from Rheinmetall Air Defence and Hensoldt.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of close

Adjective

The issue becomes much more serious if someone with confidential advance knowledge uses that information for personal financial gain.

— Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
In May 2022, the SEC said, Wolfe contacted Satsky seeking confidential updates on the regulatory approval process.

— Chase Jordan August 27, Charlotte Observer, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of confidential

Noun

Her Steel Magnolias costars Julia Roberts, Shirley MacLaine and Sally Field also penned emotional tributes, as well as her friends Jane Fonda, Carol Burnett and Billy Ray Cyrus.

— Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
The first is something Panthea Parker, a headache become corporeal, brings up at a jewelry event hosted by her friend Queenie.

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of friend

Verb

Meteorologists said the majority of model guidance does not indicate a credible hurricane threat to California during the second week of September.

— Doyle Rice, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
An internal company memo from around the time of the recovery mission — also obtained by CNBC — indicates Coupang coordinated the computer recovery at the behest of a high-ranking national security officer from the South Korean president’s office.

— Justin Papp, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of indicate

Adjective

Some are worried about the legal implications of handling such large quantities of previously private game builds as well.

— Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 30 Aug. 2026
In the village of Bilbasovka in eastern Ukraine, a 13-year-old child and an adult died after Russian troops dropped bombs on private houses Sunday, according to local official Vadim Lyakh.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of private

Verb

Advanced Micro Devices — The chip stock gained 5% after Raymond James upgraded the semiconductor company to strong buy from outperform, with a new $641 price target that implied 40% upside from Monday’s close.

— Sarah Min, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026
The Dorchester team came just short of implying that the Pierre was some sort of deathtrap.

— Noah Shachtman, Vanity Fair, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of imply

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“Intimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intimate. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of intimate

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noun

verb

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