intimate 1 of 3

adjective

ˈin-tə-mət How to pronounce intimate (audio)
Definition of intimatenext
1
as in close
closely acquainted intimate friends who can practically finish each other's sentences

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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 How to pronounce intimate (audio)
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

intimate

3 of 3

verb

ˈin-tə-ˌmāt How to pronounce intimate (audio)
as in to indicate
to convey an idea indirectly trying to intimate that there was more going on than anyone knew

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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
During one part of the intimate interview, Miley's sobriety came up. —Emily Trainham, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2025 Reflecting on her birthday week, Siwa shared a set of photos on Instagram May 21 that included intimate shots with Hughes. —Edward Segarra, USA Today, 1 June 2025
Noun
Tahari enters a licensing deal with IHL Group to produce intimates and sleepwear. —Layla Ilchi, WWD, 6 Sep. 2024 Bing Guan | Bloomberg | Getty Images Nike has teamed up with Kim Kardashian’s intimates brand Skims to launch a new line of activewear as the legacy sneaker giant looks to win over more women and better compete with Lululemon, Alo Yoga and Vuori, the companies announced Tuesday. —Gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC, 18 Feb. 2025
Verb
Free trade should reign, the spokesperson intimated, and is wholly focused on bolstering its relationships with other trading partners to guard against unfairness perpetuated by Washington. —Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 21 Apr. 2025 From music events with Anderson.Paak, Neil Frances, and BANKS to panel conversations with Deadline and Frieze, to culinary tastings with Quintessa Wines and Lalo Tequila to intimate experiences with Surya Spa. —Yola Robert, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for intimate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intimate
  1. close
  2. confidential
  3. friend
  4. indicate
  5. familiar
  6. private
  7. buddy
  8. imply
Adjective
  • The likelihood of lightning increases as a thunderstorm gets closer and reaches its highest point when the storm is directly overhead.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2025
  • And Tanner Scott, a $72 million reigning All-Star closer, has blown several save opportunities.
    — Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
Definition of close
Adjective
  • Iran has further increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels, a confidential report by the U.N. nuclear watchdog said Saturday.
    — Stephanie Liechtenstein, Christian Science Monitor, 31 May 2025
  • The Justice Department and Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser are suing the company and several large landlords for allegedly establishing a cartel-like system to drive up rent prices by sharing confidential information.
    — Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 30 May 2025
Definition of confidential
Noun
  • Next week, Kerry Morgan, a former friend of Cassie Ventura, is expected to testify in the trial.
    — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 17 May 2025
  • When playing with friends or business associates, which is mostly the way the president plays the game, all sorts of favor-trading can prevail.
    — Matthew Purdy, New York Times, 17 May 2025
Definition of friend
Verb
  • In previous years, rent also rose faster in these areas compared with the rest of the county, but the gap grew post-fires, which experts said indicates the fires are the likely cause.
    — Phi Do, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025
  • Despite some reports indicating otherwise, the 28-year-old Bieber, who is married to singer Justin Bieber, almost certainly won’t become a billionaire from the deal, which is structured to pay out $600 million in cash and $200 million in e.l.f.
    — Jemima McEvoy, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Definition of indicate
Adjective
  • The latter star has landed a number of hits throughout the past few years by repurposing melodies and interpolating hooks from older, familiar smashes by other artists, reworking them into something exciting and new for a different audience.
    — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
  • Where Charlotte’s immigrant community goes for familiar flavors.
    — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 30 May 2025
Definition of familiar
Adjective
  • Back in August 1993, an eight-year-old Harry, along with his older brother Prince William, then 11, enjoyed a private visit to Walt Disney World in Florida with Princess Diana.
    — Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 7 June 2025
  • The private club aspect is another major draw, especially for golfers, Short adds.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 6 June 2025
Definition of private
Noun
  • My buddy, Patterson, one of the admins, invited me one day, and that was that.
    — Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 2 June 2025
  • Bruce’s dream home would include a fenced yard, a playful dog buddy, and people who are home often, whether retired, work-from-home, or just able to spend more of their time with him.
    — Trish Stinger, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2025
Definition of buddy
Verb
  • Just as its name implies, this oversized two-story vessel sits moored in the tranquil waters of Montego Bay, serving an extensive menu of mostly seafood dishes, but with a little something for every diner.
    — Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2025
  • This implies a poor Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 46.2% (vs. 19.9% for S&P 500).
    — Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
Definition of imply

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intimacy
intimate
intimated
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Cite this Entry

“Intimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intimate. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of intimate for Spanish Speakers

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