inkling

noun

ˈiŋ-kliŋ How to pronounce inkling (audio)
Definition of inklingnext
as in indication
a slight or indirect pointing to something (as a solution or explanation) did not give the slightest inkling that he was planning to quit

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Example 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 inkling Jimmy Kimmel's hunch helps with final question The last question posed the biggest challenge for Ding, but thankfully Kimmel had an inkling about turkeys that hadn’t received presidential pardons. — Erin Jensen, USA Today, 30 July 2026 Waterfowl biologists involved in the restoration efforts probably had little inkling of the adaptability of Canada geese to urban areas. — Mark Vrtiska, The Conversation, 30 July 2026 Cleveland star point guard James Harden was always expected to decline his player option, long before there was any public inkling that James would leave the Lakers in free agency. — Joe Vardon, New York Times, 23 July 2026 Realizing even an inkling of this Truth will lead to freer lives. — Suzanne Riedel, Christian Science Monitor, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for inkling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inkling
  1. indication
  2. clue
  3. hint
  4. cue
  5. suggestion
Noun
  • Although Ukraine first warned that North Korean troops were using attack drones on their territory last October, this is the first indication the new wave of troops will have this capability.
    — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The Starship rocket’s Pez satellite dispenser, optimized for Starlink, is an indication of the company’s priorities.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of indication
Noun
  • But still, Hoffmann is one of the only figures in the Jewish Museum show to have stayed in Vienna through World War II and survived—which is always a clue for this cohort.
    — Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Instead of using p-tau217 and amyloid blood tests for diagnosis, Isaacson runs them to look for clues on how people are responding to treatment and lifestyle changes.
    — Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of clue
Noun
  • And given the lunar ice’s likely extreme age, Dell’Agnello says, tracing its history would offer hints about the origins of Earth’s water as well.
    — Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 20 Aug. 2026
  • In overtime versus Penn State, Moore had a wide-open touchdown to Kenyon Sadiq on the corner route but quickly found the checkdown at the first hint of pressure.
    — Dane Brugler, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of hint
Noun
  • The researchers also reviewed recordings of 123 outpatient visits and concluded that physicians should be encouraged to shake hands while remaining attentive to nonverbal cues indicating whether a patient is comfortable with it.
    — Zain Khawaja, STAT, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The technology can transcribe and translate speech, identify objects and scene content, and infer location cues from video.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of cue
Noun
  • Gates brushed aside the idea that his suggestions might draw pushback from the accelerationist voices in the tech industry.
    — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Mixed response Gates made the same suggestion nearly a decade ago and was subject to robust criticism at the time.
    — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of suggestion

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inkling
inklings
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Cite this Entry

“Inkling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inkling. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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