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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Insinuate \In*sin"u*ate\, verb (used with an object) [imp. & p. p. {Insinuated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Insinuating}.] [L. insinuatus, p. p. of insinuareto insinuate; pref. in- in + sinus the bosom. See {Sinuous}.]
1. To introduce gently or slowly, as by a winding or narrow passage, or a gentle, persistent movement.
The water easily insinuates itself into, and placidly distends, the vessels of vegetables. --Woodward.
2. To introduce artfully; to infuse gently; to instill.
All the art of rhetoric, besides order and clearness, are for nothing else but to insinuate wrong ideas, move the passions, and thereby mislead the judgment. --Locke.
Horace laughs to shame all follies and insinuates virtue, rather by familiar examples than by the severity of precepts. --Dryden.
3. To hint; to suggest by remote allusion; -- often used derogatorily; as, did you mean to insinuate anything?
4. To push or work (one's self), as into favor; to introduce by slow, gentle, or artful means; to ingratiate; -- used reflexively.
He insinuated himself into the very good grace of the Duke of Buckingham. --Clarendon.
Syn: To instill; hint; suggest; intimate.
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Insinuate \In*sin"u*ate\, verb (used without an object)
1. To creep, wind, or flow in; to enter gently, slowly, or imperceptibly, as into crevices.
2. To ingratiate one's self; to obtain access or favor by flattery or cunning.
He would insinuate with thee but to make thee sigh. --Shak.
To insinuate, flatter, bow, and bend my limbs. --Shak.
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
insinuate
verb
1: introduce or insert (oneself) in a subtle manner; "He insinuated himself into the conversation of the people at the nearby table"
2: give to understand; "I insinuated that I did not like his wife" [syn: {intimate}, {adumbrate}]
From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:
155 Moby Thesaurus words for "insinuate": accuse, adumbrate, allege, allegorize, allude to, arraign, article, ascribe, assume, barge in, book, break in, break in upon, bring accusation, bring charges, bring to book, bring to mind, burst in, butt in, charge, charge in, cite, come between, complain, connote, convey, crash, crash in, crash the gates, creep in, crowd in, cut in, denounce, denunciate, drag in, drop a hint, ease in, edge in, elbow in, encroach, entail, entrench, fasten on, fasten upon, fill in, finger, foist, foist in, fudge in, give a hint, give the cue, glance at, hang something on, hint, hint at, horn in, impeach, impinge, implant in, implicate, imply, import, impose, impose on, impose upon, impute, indicate, indict, infer, infiltrate, inform against, inform on, infringe, infuse, inject, inject in, inoculate, insert, insert in, insinuate in, intercalate, interfere, interjaculate, interject, interlope, interpolate, interpose, intervene, intimate, introduce, introduce in, intromit, intrude, invade, involve, irrupt, lay charges, lodge a complaint, lodge a plaint, lug in, mean, mean to say, obtrude, perfuse, pin on, point indirectly to, pop in, prefer charges, press charges, press in, presume, presuppose, prompt, push in, put between, put in, put on, put on report, put upon, report, reproach, run in, rush in, sandwich, set in, signify, slink in, slip in, smash in, smuggle in, sneak in, squeeze in, steal in, stick in, storm in, suggest, suppose, take for granted, take to task, task, taunt with, tax, throng in, throw in, thrust in, trench, trespass, tuck in, twit, wedge in, whip in, whisper, work in, worm, worm in
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