Insinuative

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Suggesting or implying something in an indirect, subtle, or gradual manner, often with a cunning or sly quality
2. Conveying something obliquely through subtle hints or gradual implication rather than direct statement, typically with craftiness or deviousness
3. Tending to introduce ideas or suggestions covertly and incrementally into someone's mind through indirect means and artful persuasion

Etymology: "Insinuative" is simply "insinuate" with the suffix "-ive" attached, and the suffix carries its own long history. The "-ive" ending passed into English through Old French "-if" from Latin "-īvus," a formative meaning "having the nature of" or "tending toward," so the adjective describes something inclined to do what the verb describes. The verb "insinuate" is the base here. Its sense of slipping something into a person's mind by indirect means reflects its Latin roots, where the idea of winding or working one's way in gave it a physical flavour before it took on the figurative meaning of covert influence. An insinuative remark or manner is one that works its way into someone's thinking gradually rather than announcing itself.

Synonyms: suggestive, implying

Antonyms: blunt