imply
To suggest something indirectly without stating it explicitly
Examples
In a meeting
“The data seems to imply that customers prefer the new design.”
Over coffee
“Are you trying to imply that I'm late all the time?”
Why this word
suggest
Imply means to indicate indirectly without stating explicitly, while suggest can be either direct or indirect
hint
Imply can be unintentional logical consequence, while hint is deliberate indirect communication
mean
Imply conveys indirect or unstated meaning, while mean is direct intended significance
Usage tip
Use for indirect suggestions; remember the receiver 'infers' what you 'imply'
Etymology
Latin 'implicare' from 'in-' (in) + 'plicare' (to fold)
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Related words
broach
To bring up or introduce a topic for discussion
concise
Giving a lot of information clearly in few words.
ambiguous
Open to more than one interpretation; not clear or decided.
convey
To communicate or make an idea, feeling, or meaning known.
reiterate
To say something again for emphasis or clarity.
paraphrase
To restate something in different words to make it clearer or shorter.