suggest

verb

sug·​gest səg-ˈjest How to pronounce suggest (audio)
sə-ˈjest
suggested; suggesting; suggests

transitive verb

1
a
: to mention or imply as a possibility
suggested that he might bring his family
b
: to propose as desirable or fitting
suggest a stroll
c
: to offer for consideration or as a hypothesis
suggest a solution to a problem
2
a
: to call to mind by thought or association
the explosion … suggested sabotageF. L. Paxson
b
: to serve as a motive or inspiration for
a play suggested by a historic incident
3
a
: to call forth : evoke
b
obsolete : to seek to influence : seduce
suggester noun
Choose the Right Synonym for suggest

suggest, imply, hint, intimate, insinuate mean to convey an idea indirectly.

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

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

hint implies the use of slight or remote suggestion with a minimum of overt statement.

hinted that she might get the job

intimate stresses delicacy of suggestion without connoting any lack of candor.

intimates that there is more to the situation than meets the eye

insinuate applies to the conveying of a usually unpleasant idea in a sly underhanded manner.

insinuated that there were shady dealings

Examples of suggest in a Sentence

We suggested to the committee that they review the case again. It was suggested that we leave early. He suggested several different ways of dealing with the problem. Who would you suggest for the job? They suggested a restaurant we might want to try. I suggest caution in a situation like this. The evidence suggests arson as the cause of the fire. There is nothing to suggest that the two events are connected. As the name suggests, a yarn winder is a device used to wind balls of yarn.
Recent Examples on the Web Recent research suggests another type of physical activity is worth including as an effective tool to prevent and treat hypertension, or high blood pressure. Kristen Rogers, CNN, 14 Mar. 2024 The special effects are slicker than the original movie’s, and the trailer suggests this version will be even gorier with close-ups of bad guys’ brains splattering all over the floor when Draven shoots them, hunting down each person who was responsible for his and Webster’s deaths. Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 14 Mar. 2024 Some research suggests that a bacterium found in soil, Mycobacterium vaccae, may help fend off stress. Kailyn Brown, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024 Research suggests that parentification can be a form of emotional neglect. Sahaj Kaur Kohli, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2024 The movie suggests that society owes those veterans an apology for not treating them better upon their return. Peter Debruge, Variety, 14 Mar. 2024 Another argument suggests that this anonymity was intentional, as the core idea behind Bitcoin is to promote decentralized finance. Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 14 Mar. 2024 The Arizona State Board of Education gave the school a D rating in its A-F performance indicator system last year, suggesting ARCHES is minimally performing. Nick Sullivan, The Arizona Republic, 13 Mar. 2024 Last Friday, the former president installed three allies, including his daughter-in-law, in top roles after suggesting that former chair Ronna McDaniel step down. Jeremy Yurow, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'suggest.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin suggestus, past participle of suggerere to pile up, furnish, suggest, from sub- + gerere to carry

First Known Use

1526, in the meaning defined at sense 3b

Time Traveler
The first known use of suggest was in 1526

Dictionary Entries Near suggest

Cite this Entry

“Suggest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suggest. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

suggest

verb
sug·​gest sə(g)-ˈjest How to pronounce suggest (audio)
1
a
: to put (as a thought) into a person's mind
b
: to propose as an idea or possibility
suggest going for a walk
2
: to call to mind through close connection or association
the fire suggests arson
suggester noun

Legal Definition

suggest

transitive verb
sug·​gest
1
: to mention or imply as a possibility
2
: to enter on the record as a suggestion

More from Merriam-Webster on suggest

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