1
as in clues
a slight or indirect pointing to something (as a solution or explanation)
can't you give me some hint as to where you're taking me?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in glimmers
an almost imperceptible sign of something
there was the slightest hint of scorn in her voice
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in tips
a piece of advice or useful information especially from an expert
some helpful hints for cleaning carpet stains
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in sprinklings
a very small amount
I detect just a hint of mint in the sauce
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in indicates
to convey an idea indirectly
kept hinting that she wouldn't mind an invitation to spend the weekend at their beach house
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hints
M. Gessen, Mercury News, 27 Jan. 2026
There are also a couple of hints that the fate of Europe’s Jews is part of the prevailing atmosphere of unmentionable moral contagion.
—Christopher Tayler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Classics Get New Energy Among the sequins, rock glamour, and hints of androgyny on the runway, the elements of classic menswear – and the men who still inspire designers today – took center stage for some designers.
—Brett F. Braley-Palko, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Despite some very not-so-subtle hints from yours truly, my past beaus have never gifted me a handbag on Valentine’s Day, either.
—Michelle Baricevic, InStyle, 26 Jan. 2026
Any hints of improvements to the company’s large language model (LLM) efforts will also be of interest.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 25 Jan. 2026
Some press secretaries show hints of strain, managing the dual tasks of carrying the boss’s message and playing it straight with the press.
—Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2026
The bourbon vanilla French toast, with two thick slices of brioche bread, is soaked in a batter of eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, Kentucky bourbon, vanilla, orange and almond extracts, with hints of brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg.
—Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Jan. 2026
Ask for a side of voodoo sauce, which offers hints of peppercorns, bourbon and butter.
—Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 20 Jan. 2026
Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 26 Jan. 2026
This discovery challenges how scientists think about the origins of sleep and hints that the basic machinery of sleeping brains is far older and more universal than anyone suspected.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 24 Jan. 2026
That emotional openness, Matheson hints, continues to shape Fak’s place in the restaurant’s evolving ecosystem.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026
But Raevyn hints that her twin brother Finch is involved in the killings.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Jan. 2026
Some early research hints that cold triggers parasympathetic activation (the body’s calming response), but most of the buzz here comes from anecdotal sources, not clinical trials.
—Marisa McMillan, Outside, 29 Dec. 2025
The sly addition hints that her 12th studio album will not be her last and that there will be more to come.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 23 Dec. 2025
Ewers, who played in one game this season, completing 5 of 8 passes for 53 yards in mop-up duty of a 31-6 loss to the Cleveland Browns, has a moxie to him that hints there might be something worthy of an investment in there.
—Miami Herald, 17 Dec. 2025
Both are pictured on the same Hollywood lot, which hints that the pair might be working together.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Dec. 2025
Noun
People crafted narratives out of suspicions, rumors and hints, to fill a desperate need for an explanation.
—M. Gessen, Mercury News, 27 Jan. 2026
There are also a couple of hints that the fate of Europe’s Jews is part of the prevailing atmosphere of unmentionable moral contagion.
—Christopher Tayler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Classics Get New Energy Among the sequins, rock glamour, and hints of androgyny on the runway, the elements of classic menswear – and the men who still inspire designers today – took center stage for some designers.
—Brett F. Braley-Palko, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Despite some very not-so-subtle hints from yours truly, my past beaus have never gifted me a handbag on Valentine’s Day, either.
—Michelle Baricevic, InStyle, 26 Jan. 2026
Any hints of improvements to the company’s large language model (LLM) efforts will also be of interest.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 25 Jan. 2026
Some press secretaries show hints of strain, managing the dual tasks of carrying the boss’s message and playing it straight with the press.
—Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2026
The bourbon vanilla French toast, with two thick slices of brioche bread, is soaked in a batter of eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, Kentucky bourbon, vanilla, orange and almond extracts, with hints of brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg.
—Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Jan. 2026
Ask for a side of voodoo sauce, which offers hints of peppercorns, bourbon and butter.
—Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 20 Jan. 2026
Verb
Bittersweet Baking Chocolate As the name hints, this chocolate has some sugar added to it.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 26 Jan. 2026
This discovery challenges how scientists think about the origins of sleep and hints that the basic machinery of sleeping brains is far older and more universal than anyone suspected.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 24 Jan. 2026
That emotional openness, Matheson hints, continues to shape Fak’s place in the restaurant’s evolving ecosystem.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026
But Raevyn hints that her twin brother Finch is involved in the killings.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Jan. 2026
Some early research hints that cold triggers parasympathetic activation (the body’s calming response), but most of the buzz here comes from anecdotal sources, not clinical trials.
—Marisa McMillan, Outside, 29 Dec. 2025
The sly addition hints that her 12th studio album will not be her last and that there will be more to come.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 23 Dec. 2025
Ewers, who played in one game this season, completing 5 of 8 passes for 53 yards in mop-up duty of a 31-6 loss to the Cleveland Browns, has a moxie to him that hints there might be something worthy of an investment in there.
—Miami Herald, 17 Dec. 2025
Both are pictured on the same Hollywood lot, which hints that the pair might be working together.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hints
Noun
-
Once the therapist has gotten used to those types of clues, the prompt can be changed to be more obtuse about the factors.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
It’s called MukendiKabongoAirHybirdWingsRDC26FG, a title full of clues.—
Thomas Patier,
Artforum,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In non-theme park play, the game revolves around Illumineers, glimmers, inklands, a lorebook and other buzzwords and actions that are important to players.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Jan. 2026
-
There’s still a long way to go to restore his status as a promising prospect, but there have been glimmers of hope the last couple weeks.—
Vincent Z. Mercogliano,
New York Times,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In fact, upon check-in, your butler is alerted to your arrival and waits outside your room with a welcome drink, warm towel, and handy tips on navigating your room.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Here, chefs and entertaining experts share tips for creating a date night at home that feels effortless, seductive, and entirely your own.—
Erin Bunch,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
My grandmother’s version typically called just for the addition of generous sprinklings of Lawry’s garlic salt and black pepper—and that’s it.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
5 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Reframing boundaries as capacity management rather than a blank refusal indicates a strong self-awareness and company-forward mindset.—
Kate Wieczorek,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Data from the state's Bureau of Finance & Management indicates several months measured in FY2025 saw dips in sales and use tax growth.—
Dominik Dausch,
Sioux Falls Argus Leader,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
There are indications the situation may grow even more dire.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
6 Jan. 2026
-
The extent of the two dynamics divided FOMC policymakers, with indications that the vote could have gone either way despite the six-vote victory for the cut.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
30 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Other much-appreciated touches include breakfast available 24 hours a day, complimentary Berluti shoe shine for all guests, and the possibility of arranging in-room Bulgari jewellery viewings and sales when visiting the in-house boutique feels like a chore.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Asian touches throughout, including a stream of flowing water greeting guests in the lobby, help create an initial Zen atmosphere.—
Forbes Travel Guide,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
On advice of their physician (the best money could assure), mother and child traveled to the countryside, away from London’s noise, dust, and heat.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
-
But advice, no matter how rigorous, does not carry accountability.—
Melissa Houston,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hints.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hints. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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