intimate (as a verb)

7. VERB

If you intimate something, you say it in an indirect way.[ FORMAL ]    

• He went on to intimate that he was indeed contemplating a shake-up of the company.    
• He had intimated to the French and Russians his readiness to come to a settlement.     
• = hint   

.... Cobuild

1. To make known subtly and indirectly; hint. 

2. To announce; proclaim.

Synonyms: suggest, imply, hint, intimate2, insinuate

These verbs mean to convey thoughts or ideas by indirection. 

• Suggest refers to the calling of something to mind as the result of an association of ideas: "his erect and careless attitude suggesting assurance and power" Joseph Conrad. 
• To imply is to suggest a thought or an idea by letting it be inferred from something else, such as a statement, that is more explicit: The effusive praise the professor heaped on one of the students seemed to imply disapproval of the rest. 
• Hint refers to an oblique or covert suggestion that often contains clues: My imagination supplied the explanation you only hinted at. 
• Intimate applies to indirect, subtle expression that often reflects discretion, tact, or reserve: She intimated that her neighbors were having marital problems.
• To insinuate is to suggest something, usually something unpleasant, in a covert, sly, and underhanded manner: The columnist insinuated that the candidate raised money unethically.

.... Am-Heritage