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

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 channel offers fans an intimate glimpse into his life through a variety of content, including personal insights and challenges. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025 Publishing intimate images of minors under 18 could be punished with a fine or up to three years in prison. —ArsTechnica, 9 Apr. 2025
Noun
Meanwhile, the documentary intimates, penny-pinching and dollar stretching, along with the corner-cutting and risk taking, continues in the world of indie genre cinema. —Joe Leydon, Variety, 12 Mar. 2025 Eres offers beachwear, lingerie, and loungewear, to create a complete wardrobe of intimates that put craftsmanship front and center. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
In this case, however, the check took so long that Alan Shearer intimated the wait may have had some relation to Jack Grealish being replaced due to a non-impact injury 10 minutes later. —Elias Burke, The Athletic, 11 Feb. 2025 In the episode, life will intimate art as Culpo tries to capture content after a literal minefield is discovered on the ocean floor. —Lynette Rice, Deadline, 3 Feb. 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
  • That’s in part thanks to a close collaboration between Stein and Weinstein.
    — Leah Abrams, Them., 17 Apr. 2025
  • The new Charlotte Knights’ manager pitched for four MLB teams from 2010 to 2015, recording 30 saves as the closer for the Chicago White Sox in 2011.
    — Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of close
Adjective
  • The government in that case, a civil lawsuit, has relied on a 2019 local police report, which used information from a confidential informant to allege Abrego Garcia was a member of MS-13.
    — Andrew Goudsward and Ted Hesson, USA Today, 13 Apr. 2025
  • The firm ended up raising more than that amount from outside investors as part of the total $4.6 billion pool, said the person, who asked not to be named because the details are confidential.
    — Ari Levy, CNBC, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of confidential
Noun
  • After the Jane Does testified, the prosecution called Pearce's friend Michael Ansbach, who was in the apartment that night and later arrested along with Pearce and Osborn.
    — Jonathan Vigliotti, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2025
  • There were people in the town hall who were either friends or relatives of folks who were on the Truman.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 Mar. 2025
Definition of friend
Verb
  • As of last May, filings with the state of Texas indicated that 78% of CFP Administration LLC’s ownership was held in equal 15.6% shares by the Big Ten, ACC, SEC, Big 12 and Pac-12.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Which indicates that her tough-guy act is a front to conceal her own vulnerability.
    — Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of indicate
Adjective
  • Cannes Film Festival head Thierry Frémaux said there’s more to come, but this wasn’t your typical Cannes Competition lineup studded with older, familiar auteurs.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
  • There was also a memorandum of agreement about the move signed on Monday by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and Acting SSA Commissioner Leland Dudek, according to one source familiar.
    — Aaron Navarro, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of familiar
Adjective
  • In 2022, a consortium of private retirement-plan providers announced a collaboration to boost the portability of small retirement accounts.
    — Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Limonite Av Eval Fire has been burning on private land.
    — CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of private
Noun
  • But when McIlroy played it for the first time in 2024, with buddy Shane Lowry in a scheme apparently cooked up in a boozy post-Ryder Cup brunch, the pair found a way to A) have a great time in New Orleans, and B) win the tournament.
    — Hugh Kellenberger, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
  • On the opposite end of the scale, an American game streamer and his YouTuber buddy are ditching the smartphones that are the staple of their generation and attempting to cross Japan by motorbike without so much as a guidebook.
    — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 12 Apr. 2025
Definition of buddy
Verb
  • The business leaders’ statement implies that the region might be in danger of losing one or both teams, but neither has threatened to leave the Kansas City area.
    — Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Gentry implied that the growth sprang largely from American unexpectedly adding flights, which the airport is contractually obliged to accommodate, The Ledger reported.
    — Ted Reed, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of imply

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intimate
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Cite this Entry

“Intimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intimate. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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