Insinuate vs. Assume — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Insinuate and Assume
ADVERTISEMENT
Compare with Definitions
Insinuate
To express or otherwise convey (a thought, for example) in an indirect or insidious way.
Assume
To take for granted; suppose
The study assumes that prices will rise.
Insinuate
To maneuver or insert (oneself) into a place
"One of the boys insinuated himself next to me and squeezed my hand" (Caroline Preston).
Assume
To take upon oneself (a duty or obligation)
Assume responsibility.
Assume another's debts.
Insinuate
To cause (oneself) to be involved or accepted by subtle and artful means
Insinuated himself into court intrigues.
Insinuated herself into my good graces.
ADVERTISEMENT
Assume
To undertake the duties of (an office)
Assumed the presidency.
Insinuate
To make insinuations.
Assume
To take on (an appearance, role, or form, for example); adopt
"The god assumes a human form" (John Ruskin).
Insinuate
To hint; to suggest tacitly (usually something bad) while avoiding a direct statement.
She insinuated that her friends had betrayed her.
Assume
To pretend to have; feign
Assume an air of authority.
Insinuate
(rare) To creep, wind, or flow into; to enter gently, slowly, or imperceptibly, as into crevices.
Assume
To take over without justification; seize
Assume control.
Insinuate
To ingratiate; to obtain access to or introduce something by subtle, cunning or artful means.
Assume
To clothe oneself in; don
The queen assumed a velvet robe.
Insinuate
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.
Assume
To take up or receive into heaven.
Insinuate
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.
Horace laughs to shame all follies and insinuates virtue, rather by familiar examples than by the severity of precepts.
Assume
To make a supposition; suppose or believe
"Is Kay's husband coming to dinner too?" "I assume so.".
Insinuate
To hint; to suggest by remote allusion; - often used derogatorily; as, did you mean to insinuate anything?
Assume
To authenticate by means of belief; to surmise; to suppose to be true, especially without proof
We assume that, as her parents were dentists, she knows quite a bit about dentistry.
Insinuate
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.
Assume
To take on a position, duty or form
Mr. Jones will assume the position of a lifeguard until a proper replacement is found.
Insinuate
To creep, wind, or flow in; to enter gently, slowly, or imperceptibly, as into crevices.
Assume
To adopt a feigned quality or manner; to claim without right; to arrogate
He assumed an air of indifference
Insinuate
To ingratiate one's self; to obtain access or favor by flattery or cunning.
He would insinuate with thee but to make thee sigh.
To insinuate, flatter, bow, and bend my limbs.
Assume
To receive, adopt (a person)
Insinuate
Introduce or insert (oneself) in a subtle manner;
He insinuated himself into the conversation of the people at the nearby table
Assume
To adopt (an idea or cause)
Insinuate
Give to understand;
I insinuated that I did not like his wife
Assume
To take to or upon one's self; to take formally and demonstratively; sometimes, to appropriate or take unjustly.
Trembling they stand while Jove assumes the throne.
The god assumed his native form again.
Assume
To take for granted, or without proof; to suppose as a fact; to suppose or take arbitrarily or tentatively.
The consequences of assumed principles.
Assume
To pretend to possess; to take in appearance.
Ambition assuming the mask of religion.
Assume a virtue, if you have it not.
Assume
To receive or adopt.
The sixth was a young knight of lesser renown and lower rank, assumed into that honorable company.
Assume
To be arrogant or pretentious; to claim more than is due.
Assume
To undertake, as by a promise.
Assume
Take to be the case or to be true; accept without verification or proof;
I assume his train was late
Assume
Take on titles, offices, duties, responsibilities;
When will the new President assume office?
Assume
Take on a certain form, attribute, or aspect;
His voice took on a sad tone
The story took a new turn
He adopted an air of superiority
She assumed strange manners
The gods assume human or animal form in these fables
Assume
Take on as one's own the expenses or debts of another person;
I'll accept the charges
She agreed to bear the responsibility
Assume
Occupy or take on;
He assumes the lotus position
She took her seat on the stage
We took our seats in the orchestra
She took up her position behind the tree
Strike a pose
Assume
Seize and take control without authority and possibly with force; take as one's right or possession;
He assumed to himself the right to fill all positions in the town
He usurped my rights
She seized control of the throne after her husband died
Assume
Make a pretence of;
She assumed indifference, even though she was seething with anger
He feigned sleep
Assume
Christianity, obsolete; take up someone's soul into heaven;
This is the day when May was assumed into heaven
Assume
Put clothing on one's body;
What should I wear today?
He put on his best suit for the wedding
The princess donned a long blue dress
The queen assumed the stately robes
He got into his jeans
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Bandolier vs. Bandoleer
Next Comparison
Insane vs. Inane
