Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense suggests, present participle suggesting, past tense, past participle suggested
1. verb
If you suggest something, you put forward a plan or idea for someone to think about.
He suggested a link between class size and test results of seven-year-olds. [VERB noun]
I suggest you ask him some specific questions about his past. [VERB that]
I suggested to Mike that we go out for a meal with his colleagues. [VERB + to]
No one has suggested how this might occur. [VERB wh]
'Could he be suffering from amnesia?' I suggested. [VERB with quote]
So instead I suggested taking her out to dinner for a change. [VERB verb-ing]
Synonyms: recommend, propose, advise, move More Synonyms of suggest
2. verb
If you suggest the name of a person or place, you recommend them to someone.
Could you suggest someone to advise me how to do this? [VERB noun]
They can suggest where to buy one. [V wh to-inf]
3. verb
If you suggestthat something is the case, you say something which you believe is the case.
I'm not suggesting that is what is happening. [VERB that]
It is wrong to suggest that there are easy alternatives. [VERB that]
Their success is conditional, I suggest, on this restriction. [VERB that]
Synonyms: indicate, show, demonstrate, give the impression More Synonyms of suggest
4. verb
If one thing suggests another, it implies it or makes you think that it might be the case.
Earlier reports suggested that a meeting would take place on Sunday. [VERB that]
Its hairy body suggests a mammal. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: bring to mind, evoke, remind you of, smack of More Synonyms of suggest
5. verb
If one thing suggests another, it brings it to your mind through an association of ideas.
This onomatopoeic word suggests to me the sound a mousetrap makes when it snaps shut. [VERB noun]
More Synonyms of suggest
suggest in British English
(səˈdʒɛst, US English səɡˈdʒɛst)
verb(tr; may take a clause as object)
1.
to put forward (a plan, idea, etc) for consideration
I suggest Professor Aziz for the post
a plan suggested itself
2.
to evoke (a person, thing, etc) in the mind of someone by the association of ideas
that painting suggests home to me
3.
to give an indirect or vague hint of
his face always suggests his peace of mind
Derived forms
suggester (sugˈgester)
noun
Word origin
C16: from Latin suggerere to bring up, from sub- + gerere to bring
suggest in American English
(səgˈdʒɛst; also, & Brit usually, səˈdʒɛst)
verb transitive
1.
to mention as something to think over, act on, etc.; bring to the mind for consideration
2.
to bring or call to mind through association of ideas
objects suggested by the shapes of clouds
3.
to propose as a possibility
to suggest a course of study
4.
to show indirectly; imply; intimate
a silence that suggested agreement
5.
to serve as a motive for; prompt
a success that suggested further attempts
SYNONYMY NOTE: suggest implies a putting of something into the mind either intentionally, as by way of aproposal [I suggest you leave now], or unintentionally, as through association of ideas [the smell of ether suggests a hospital]; imply stresses the putting into the mind of something involved, but not openly expressed,in a word, a remark, etc. and suggests the need for inference [the answer implied a refusal]; hint connotes faint or indirect suggestion that is, however, intended to be understood[he hinted that he would come]; intimate suggests a making known obliquely by a very slight hint [she only dared to intimate her feelings]; insinuate implies the subtle hinting of something disagreeable or of that which one lacks thecourage to say outright [are you insinuating that I am dishonest?]
Derived forms
suggester (sugˈgester)
noun
Word origin
< L suggestus, pp. of suggerere, to carry or lay under, furnish < sub-, sub- + gerere, to carry
Examples of 'suggest' in a sentence
suggest
What the first two suggest is caring about others and the way we conduct our relationships.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Together share the kind of thoughts and ideas suggested in the exercise for individuals.
Lindenfield, Gael 50 Ways to Become a Self-Confident Woman (1989)
But no one would seriously suggest we should have laws licensing dangerous driving or theft.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Another suggests that there are as many as ten lawyers in the city disguised as tourists.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
He also suggests putting a sock filled with cat litter under the windscreen.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
If so tell us about it and suggest where to go.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The figures suggest that something is awry.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Another option suggested is to remove the top floor from six blocks and install lower roofs.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Suggest he does something positive to use his time while looking for work.
The Sun (2012)
Can you suggest something else that would provide some feathery green flowers?
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
He suggests finding another challenge that does not rely on where the company is in relation to its competitors.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Making a difference Students can suggest ideas for change and generally they are approved by the university.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The figures suggest that only one employee in ten moves to a new Job each year.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The tax bill has been suggested at about $6 million.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
For the longer term, some suggest more radical ideas.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
One suggested the dolls could be used as models for identifying American spies.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Similarly, stories about his life suggest that the only exercise that he took was in bed.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Their study of small working groups across a range of sectors suggests that just one bad person in a team will destroy the entire ethos.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
H5N1 flu might not yet have triggered a pandemic, and this case does not suggest it is about to.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
After moving into her home, he suggested putting her mortgage in both names so they could remortgage based on both salaries.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
I suggest they put a further 15,000 into their cash reserve.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
A good idea has a ripple effect, soon suggesting other ideas or applications.
Christianity Today (2000)
I don't think anyone is suggesting you should put yourself in danger.
The Sun (2010)
In other languages
suggest
British English: suggest /səˈdʒɛst; səɡˈdʒɛst/ VERB
If you suggest something, you put forward a plan or idea for someone to consider.
I suggested we walk to the park.
American English: suggest
Arabic: يَقْتَرِحُ
Brazilian Portuguese: sugerir
Chinese: 建议
Croatian: predložiti
Czech: navrhnout
Danish: foreslå
Dutch: suggereren
European Spanish: sugerir
Finnish: ehdottaa
French: suggérer
German: vorschlagen
Greek: υπονοώ
Italian: suggerire
Japanese: 提案する
Korean: 제안하다
Norwegian: foreslå
Polish: zasugerować
European Portuguese: sugerir
Romanian: a sugera
Russian: предлагать
Latin American Spanish: sugerir
Swedish: föreslå
Thai: แนะนำ
Turkish: önermek
Ukrainian: пропонувати
Vietnamese: gợi ý
Chinese translation of 'suggest'
suggest
(səˈdʒɛst)
vt
(= propose) 建议(議) (jiànyì)
⇒ We have to suggest possible topics for next term's class.我们需要就下学期的课题提些建议。 (Wǒmen xūyào jiù xià xuéqī de kètí tí xiē jiànyì.)
(= indicate) 显(顯)示出 (xiǎnshìchū)
⇒ His expression suggested some pleasure at the fact that I had come.他的表情显示出他对我的到来有些好感。 (Tā de biǎoqíng xiǎnshì chū tā duì wǒ de dàolái yǒu xiē hǎogǎn.)
to suggest that ... (= propose) 建议(議) ... (jiànyì ... )
⇒ I suggested that we walk to the park.我建议走路去公园。 (Wǒ jiànyì zǒulù qù gōngyuán.)
(= indicate) 显(顯)示出 ... (xiǎnshìchū ... )
⇒ Early reports suggested that he would lose heavily.早期报告显示出他会惨败。 (Zǎoqī bàogào xiǎnshìchū tā huì cǎnbài.)
(= imply) 暗示 (ànshì)
⇒ I'm not suggesting (that) that is what is happening.我并未暗示说现在就是这样。 (Wǒ bìng wèi ànshì shuō xiànzài jiù shì zhèyàng.)
1 (verb)
Definition
to put forward (a plan or an idea) for consideration
I suggest you ask him some specific questions about his past.
Synonyms
recommend
I recommend that you consult your doctor.
propose
We are about to propose some changes to the system.
advise
I would strongly advise against it.
move
I moved that the case be dismissed.
table (British)
They've tabled a motion criticizing the government for inaction.
counsel
My advisors counselled me to do nothing.
advocate
They advocate fewer government controls on business.
prescribe
The judge said he was passing the sentence prescribed by law.
put forward
propound
She continues to propound her theories about the supernatural.
offer a suggestion
2 (verb)
Definition
to give a hint of
The figures suggest that their success is conditional on this restriction.
Synonyms
indicate
The survey indicated that most old people are independent.
show
These figures show an increase in unemployment.
demonstrate
You have to demonstrate that you are reliable.
give the impression
lead you to believe
3 (verb)
Definition
to give a hint of
What exactly are you suggesting?
Synonyms
hint at
imply
Are you implying that I had something to do with this?
insinuate
The article insinuated that the President was lying.
intimate
She intimated that she was contemplating leaving the company.
get at
drive at (informal)
4 (verb)
Definition
to bring (a person or thing) to the mind by the association of ideas
Its hairy body suggests a mammal.
Synonyms
bring to mind
evoke
remind you of
smack of
connote
The word `insecurity' connotes all sorts of things that we strive not to be.
make you think of
put you in mind of
Additional synonyms
in the sense of advise
Definition
to offer advice to
I would strongly advise against it.
Synonyms
recommend,
suggest,
urge,
counsel,
advocate,
caution,
prescribe,
commend,
admonish,
enjoin
in the sense of advocate
Definition
to recommend a course of action publicly
They advocate fewer government controls on business.
Synonyms
recommend,
support,
champion,
encourage,
propose,
favour,
defend,
promote,
urge,
advise,
justify,
endorse,
campaign for,
prescribe,
speak for,
uphold,
press for,
argue for,
commend,
plead for,
espouse,
countenance,
hold a brief for (informal)
in the sense of connote
The word `insecurity' connotes all sorts of things that we strive not to be.
Synonyms
imply,
suggest,
indicate,
intimate,
signify,
hint at,
betoken,
involve
Synonyms of 'suggest'
suggest
Explore 'suggest' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of counsel
Definition
to recommend or urge
My advisors counselled me to do nothing.
Synonyms
advise,
recommend,
advocate,
prescribe,
warn,
urge,
caution,
instruct,
exhort (formal),
admonish
in the sense of demonstrate
Definition
to reveal the existence of
You have to demonstrate that you are reliable.
Synonyms
prove,
show,
establish,
indicate,
make clear,
manifest,
evidence,
testify to,
evince (formal),
show clearly,
flag up
in the sense of imply
Definition
to express or indicate by a hint
Are you implying that I had something to do with this?
Synonyms
suggest,
hint,
insinuate,
indicate,
signal,
intimate,
signify,
connote,
give (someone) to understand
in the sense of insinuate
Definition
to suggest indirectly by allusion, hints, or innuendo
The article insinuated that the President was lying.
Synonyms
imply,
suggest,
hint,
indicate,
intimate,
allude
in the sense of intimate
Definition
to make (something) known in an indirect way
She intimated that she was contemplating leaving the company.
Synonyms
suggest,
indicate,
hint,
imply,
warn,
allude,
let it be known,
insinuate,
give (someone) to understand,
drop a hint,
tip (someone) the wink (British, informal)
in the sense of move
Definition
to suggest a proposal formally, as in a debate
I moved that the case be dismissed.
Synonyms
propose,
suggest,
urge,
recommend,
request,
advocate,
submit,
put forward
in the sense of prescribe
Definition
to lay down as a rule
The judge said he was passing the sentence prescribed by law.
Synonyms
ordain (formal),
set,
order,
establish,
rule,
require,
fix,
recommend,
impose,
appoint,
command,
define,
dictate,
assign,
lay down,
decree,
stipulate,
enjoin
in the sense of propose
Definition
to put forward (a plan) for consideration
We are about to propose some changes to the system.
Synonyms
put forward,
present,
suggest,
advance,
come up with,
submit,
tender,
proffer,
propound
in the sense of propound
Definition
to put forward for consideration
She continues to propound her theories about the supernatural.
Synonyms
put forward,
present,
advance,
propose,
advocate,
submit,
suggest,
lay down,
contend,
postulate (formal),
set forth
in the sense of show
Definition
to demonstrate or prove
These figures show an increase in unemployment.
Synonyms
indicate,
demonstrate,
prove,
reveal,
display,
evidence,
point out,
manifest,
testify to,
evince,
flag up
Additional synonyms
in the sense of table
Definition
to submit (a motion) for discussion by a meeting
They've tabled a motion criticizing the government for inaction.