Definition

1. Verb:
   • To suggest or indicate something indirectly, without stating it explicitly: To express something in an indirect way, allowing the listener or reader to understand the intended meaning without direct words.
   • To have as a necessary consequence or logical condition: To involve or entail something as a necessary part or inevitable result.
   • To suggest that someone is guilty or responsible for something: To hint at or indicate someone's involvement in a negative action without directly accusing them.

Usage and Examples

• To suggest indirectly:

  • His tone implied that he was not satisfied with the results. (The way he spoke suggested his dissatisfaction without him saying it directly.)
  • Are you implying that I made a mistake? (Are you suggesting indirectly that I am at fault?)

• To have as a necessary feature or consequence:

  • Rights imply responsibilities. (Having rights logically involves having corresponding duties.)
  • The design implies a high level of expertise. (The design necessarily requires or indicates great skill.)

• To suggest guilt:

  • The evidence implies his involvement in the scheme. (The evidence indirectly suggests he was part of the plan.)

Advanced Usage

• In logic: To have as a logically necessary consequence. If a statement (A) implies another statement (B), then if A is true, B must also be true.
  • "All humans are mortal" implies that "Socrates is mortal" if Socrates is human.
• To state indirectly: To communicate something by what is not said, or through context, rather than through direct statement.
  • She didn't say no, but her hesitation implied a lack of enthusiasm.

Variants and Related Words

• Implication (noun): The conclusion that can be drawn from something, although it is not explicitly stated.
  • The implication of his statement was clear.
• Implied (adjective): Suggested without being directly expressed.
  • There was an implied threat in his words.

Synonyms

• Suggest: To put forward for consideration.
• Insinuate: To suggest or hint (something bad) in an indirect and unpleasant way.
• Entail: To involve (something) as a necessary or inevitable part or consequence.
• Involve: To have or include (something) as a necessary part.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• By implication: As a result of something that is suggested but not stated directly.
  • He criticized the plan and, by implication, the manager who proposed it.

Verb

1. have as a necessary feature
   • This decision involves many changes
2. suggest that someone is guilty
3. have as a logical consequence
   • The water shortage means that we have to stop taking long showers
4. suggest as a logically necessary consequence; in logic
5. express or state indirectly