Synonym Chooser

How does the verb insert contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of insert are insinuate, intercalate, interject, interpolate, interpose, and introduce. While all these words mean "to put between or among others," insert implies putting into a fixed or open space between or among.

inserted a clause in the contract

When is it sensible to use insinuate instead of insert?

The words insinuate and insert are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, insinuate implies introducing gradually or by gentle pressure.

insinuated himself into the group

When can intercalate be used instead of insert?

In some situations, the words intercalate and insert are roughly equivalent. However, intercalate suggests an intrusive inserting of something in an existing series or sequence.

new chapters intercalated with the old

In what contexts can interject take the place of insert?

While in some cases nearly identical to insert, interject implies an abrupt or forced introduction.

interjected a question

When is interpolate a more appropriate choice than insert?

Although the words interpolate and insert have much in common, interpolate applies to the inserting of something extraneous or spurious.

interpolated her own comments into the report

Where would interpose be a reasonable alternative to insert?

The synonyms interpose and insert are sometimes interchangeable, but interpose suggests inserting an obstruction or cause of delay.

interpose barriers to communication

When would introduce be a good substitute for insert?

While the synonyms introduce and insert are close in meaning, introduce is a general term for bringing or placing a thing or person into a group or body already in existence.

introduced a new topic into the conversation

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of insert How was Case trained after this and how did he get inserted into this team, a team which doesn’t seem to know anything about his history? Paul Tassi, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024 But emergency room staffers struggled to insert the IV. Jackie Fortiér, CBS News, 30 Oct. 2024 The boxes are also bolted into the ground and feature relatively narrow flaps to insert ballots — meaning they are designed to to withstand weather elements and any tampering or stealing attempts. Maia Pandey, Journal Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2024 If your plants are hard to pull, insert your shovel beneath the roots and use it to lever the roots out of the soil. Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for insert 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insert
Verb
  • Harris didn’t take the opportunity to distance herself from Biden enough on that issue or introduce different ideas, Syed said.
    Sakshi Venkatraman, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
  • Even a few years after Apple introduced the system, the slimness of the iMac is still pretty impressive.
    Brian Westover, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Opponents said the measure injected politics into emergency response and could threaten federal funding.
    Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Small Spaces Architect Émilie Magdelaine injects the feeling of a small hotel suite into this French home Photography by Florian Wattier November 5, 2024 All products featured on Architectural Digest are independently selected by our editors.
    Nicolas Milon, Architectural Digest, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Donald Trump’s victory in the Nov. 5 presidential election isn’t expected to slow the momentum to add EV trucks to the ports or end innovation in the region.
    Pat Maio, Orange County Register, 16 Nov. 2024
  • Trump put the call on speaker and Zelensky thanked Musk for his help with providing communications through Starlink to Ukraine in the ongoing war with Russia, a source added.
    CNN.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Mia’s friends come to dinner and started sharing old memories, and Jacqueline simply had to interject and remind us that her memories with Mia are older.
    Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 27 Oct. 2024
  • Elon attempted to interject before Kimbal again insisted the two brothers were immigrants during the early days of Zip2.
    Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • Unsurprisingly, that work was heavily sampled in the last four decades of his life, providing a spectacular variety of cues, melodies and more that songwriters and producers interpolated into next-generation classics.
    Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 4 Nov. 2024
  • Lisa is interpolating a Nineties classic on her new single.
    Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near insert

Cite this Entry

“Insert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insert. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on insert

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!