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

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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
The home’s design masterfully balances intimate living spaces with grand-scale entertaining areas. —Rowan Briggs, The Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2025 In addition to revealing the first products from her lifestyle brand and speaking to PEOPLE in her most intimate interview in years, the Duchess of Sussex's Netflix show With Love, Meghan premiered this week. —Stephanie Petit, People.com, 7 Mar. 2025
Noun
An intimate remarked that, in these later years, a more playful, lighthearted Bill emerged. —Sheila Heti, Harper's Magazine, 2 Sep. 2024 Several Reagan intimates and biographers have written that Reagan's wife, Nancy, wanted him out to spare him embarrassment. —Ron Elving, NPR, 28 Dec. 2024
Verb
At a Politico event on Tuesday, Trump trade adviser Peter Navarro intimated that Xi and Trump had plans to hash out the actions by phone. —Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 4 Feb. 2025 From mega-ships to intimate river boats, luxury yachts and expedition vessels, some two dozen new cruise ships are set to launch in 2025. —Jeri Clausing, AFAR Media, 23 Jan. 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
  • Many close followers of Barca have remarked on how players seem to understand what the coach wants of them perfectly, which had not always been the case in previous seasons.
    — Laia Cervelló Herrero, The Athletic, 13 Mar. 2025
  • The most impactful shows were smaller in format, allowing for a closer appreciation of the pieces and the skill behind them.
    — Rhonda Richford, WWD, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of close
Adjective
  • The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and a federal-district court both ruled that prosecutors had not violated Holberg's rights by failing to disclose Kirkpatrick's status as a confidential informant.
    — Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
  • The size of the total reserve is confidential, but estimates are commonly in the hundreds of millions of tons.
    — Scott L. Montgomery, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of confidential
Noun
  • Later, one of their friends came to the house and discovered the body of one of the victims, Xana Kernodle.
    — Mike Baker, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2025
  • De Agosto is where the friend group formed: Miguel, his older brother, Rifen, Fernando, Silvio De Sousa and Eric Amandio.
    — Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of friend
Verb
  • The ongoing confusion and mystery regarding Lionel Messi’s availability was amplified before kickoff on Thursday, and what followed was a tense victory that was tighter than the final scoreline indicated.
    — Franco Panizo, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Among the instances of money laundering done through TD Bank as indicated in the settlement agreement was the laundering of $474 million in cash from fentanyl sales in the United States by Chinese criminal syndicates.
    — Steve Weisman, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of indicate
Adjective
  • The idea is both familiar and transformative: public fridges, placed in neighborhoods, stocked by the people, for the people—no questions asked.
    — The Glamour editors, Glamour, 8 Mar. 2025
  • The point is not to be lifelike or fact-based but familiar and formulaic—in a word, predictable.
    — Namwali Serpell, The New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of familiar
Adjective
  • This private survey reading on Monday followed the official manufacturing PMI released on Saturday, which also showed that China’s February factory activity expanded at its fastest pace since November.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 3 Mar. 2025
  • There are two infinity pools, a spa in the forest, and accommodations with private balconies overlooking the Andaman Sea.
    — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 2 Mar. 2025
Definition of private
Noun
  • On the high school travel circuit, Cooper Flagg eschewed the more nationally dominant club teams to suit up, along with his brother and their buddies, for Maine United.
    — Sean Gregory, TIME, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Simeon Entertainment is currently casting Lost Weekend, a buddy comedy based on a true John Lennon story directed by comedy auteur Frank Coraci (Wedding Singer).
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of buddy
Verb
  • This implies a very strong Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.1% (vs. 19.0% for S&P 500).
    — Trefis Team, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Jonas’ price target of $430 implies shares can rebound 93.6% over the next year from Monday’s closing level.
    — Alex Harring, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of imply

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Cite this Entry

“Intimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intimate. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of intimate for Spanish Speakers

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