as in implying
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as in indicating
to convey an idea indirectly
kept hinting that she wouldn't mind an invitation to spend the weekend at their beach house
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of hinting
Nicholas Kerr, ABC News, 8 May 2026
Trouble brewing Some analysts are hinting that trouble may be brewing for budget hotels, which are seeing an uptick in foreclosures and bankruptcies.
—Pat Maio, Oc Register, 2 May 2026
Earlier this year, Judge William Orrick praised Mayor Barbara Lee and Interim Police Chief James Beere — who has submitted his name for consideration in the permanent chief search — for department reforms, hinting that Oakland may be nearing the finish line.
—Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 1 May 2026
Georgia coach Kirby Smart came away pleased with the overall development of his team, even hinting that a few backups pushed previous starters for their jobs.
—Connor Riley, AJC.com, 29 Apr. 2026
All three Afflecks wore tennis shoes, hinting that the actor's kids share his love of designer sneakers.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 12 Apr. 2026
New York City police stood by their investigation, hinting that the five had been part of the attack along with Reyes, but in 2002 the convictions were vacated.
—Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Apr. 2026
In recent weeks, the Grammy-winning pop star had been cryptically hinting that an album announcement was imminent, including by mysteriously wiping all of the posts from her Instagram account.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
The same sneak peek shows Carmody evading her family's questions about when she will get married, hinting that her long engagement will be a focal point of the series.
—Catherine Messier, The Providence Journal, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
Zelenskyy -- who has called for a long-term ceasefire -- had refused to accept Putin’s pause in recent days, hinting that Ukraine might strike the parade.
—Nicholas Kerr, ABC News, 8 May 2026
Trouble brewing Some analysts are hinting that trouble may be brewing for budget hotels, which are seeing an uptick in foreclosures and bankruptcies.
—Pat Maio, Oc Register, 2 May 2026
Earlier this year, Judge William Orrick praised Mayor Barbara Lee and Interim Police Chief James Beere — who has submitted his name for consideration in the permanent chief search — for department reforms, hinting that Oakland may be nearing the finish line.
—Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 1 May 2026
Georgia coach Kirby Smart came away pleased with the overall development of his team, even hinting that a few backups pushed previous starters for their jobs.
—Connor Riley, AJC.com, 29 Apr. 2026
All three Afflecks wore tennis shoes, hinting that the actor's kids share his love of designer sneakers.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 12 Apr. 2026
New York City police stood by their investigation, hinting that the five had been part of the attack along with Reyes, but in 2002 the convictions were vacated.
—Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Apr. 2026
In recent weeks, the Grammy-winning pop star had been cryptically hinting that an album announcement was imminent, including by mysteriously wiping all of the posts from her Instagram account.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
The same sneak peek shows Carmody evading her family's questions about when she will get married, hinting that her long engagement will be a focal point of the series.
—Catherine Messier, The Providence Journal, 31 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hinting
Adjective
-
But the headline strikes me as biased, implying justification for this act of terrorism.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
-
And probably should go home this episode instead of the person the Project Runway editors are heavily implying to be the next contestant out.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The New Jersey depot opened in a small unbranded industrial facility in Carlstadt, with municipal records indicating that contractors added storage racks and refrigerators inside.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
15 May 2026
-
Officials have said the test taken aboard the ship was likely a false positive, and that the physician does not have antibodies to hantavirus, indicating he was never exposed to or ill with it.—
Rebecca Cohen,
NBC news,
15 May 2026
Adjective
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The sisters opted for suggestive sartorial choices, with Kylie Jenner stepping onto the carpet in a revealing strapless gown by Schiaparelli.—
Swasti Singhai,
USA Today,
20 May 2026
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There are several variations on classic trivia packaged into different games, as well as a one-letter-guessing game that’s suggestive of Jeopardy.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Mini bars burst with silk eye covers, collagen masks, melatonin sprays and ear plugs, suggesting the bacchanalia Estelle encourages.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 May 2026
-
Producer prices growth in April outpaced consumer price gains for the first time since July 2022, with OCBC's Xie suggesting companies will absorb a large part of the commodity shock rather than pass it fully to consumers.—
Anniek Bao,Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
Adjective
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Rather than viewing the insinuating and undeniably creepy Gacy as an inherent threat, Macmanus finds the tragedy in the disparate and desperate circumstances amid which Gacy might have represented an illusion of hope.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Oct. 2025
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In the process, the day-to-day nightmare of Dana’s new reality gets lost, even if the more insinuating discomfort of her present-day reality has been enhanced.—
Daniel Fienberg,
The Hollywood Reporter,
8 Dec. 2022
Adjective
-
The summit did not happen, with Aoun saying a security deal needed to be in place and Israeli attacks needed to end before such a landmark symbolic meeting.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
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Advocates and some council members have expressed concerns that the new rules may be symbolic and unenforceable.—
Finch Walker,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
Adjective
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Showing beautiful aromatics, including expressive floral notes in the bouquet, 2021 Brunello is noted for its bold fruit flavors, extraordinary balance, elegant texture, and overall integration.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
15 May 2026
-
London opening with its new push for a younger, self-expressive clientele can help inform the brand to roll out similar concepts in other key locations.—
Tianwei Zhang,
Footwear News,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hinting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hinting. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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