as in indications
a slight or indirect pointing to something (as a solution or explanation)
vainly searched for a clue to the answer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 clues
Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 6 Apr. 2026
Overseas, bond investors kept a close eye on developments in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz for clues into the future path of the global economy.
—Sean Conlon,anniek Bao, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2026
Our findings provide new clues for developing new treatments for spider bites.
—Matthew Cordes, The Conversation, 6 Apr. 2026
Angelo must stop whoever’s coming for his family by searching his past hits for clues, and the list is very long.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 6 Apr. 2026
This discovery could offer fresh clues about how our galaxy evolved and how its dark matter is distributed, the study's researchers say.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 5 Apr. 2026
That means what may look like simple rocks are actually clues to the materials and conditions that gave rise to Earth.
—Maliya Ellis, Houston Chronicle, 5 Apr. 2026
And there are countless clues hidden in the artwork that tell a story about the people who’ve inspired it.
—Victoria Le, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2026
Orientale is a scientific archetype, offering clues to similar impacts on even more distant worlds, Young says.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 4 Apr. 2026
Noun
Authorities have described the case as a possible kidnapping or abduction, but clues have been scarce.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 6 Apr. 2026
Overseas, bond investors kept a close eye on developments in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz for clues into the future path of the global economy.
—Sean Conlon,anniek Bao, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2026
Our findings provide new clues for developing new treatments for spider bites.
—Matthew Cordes, The Conversation, 6 Apr. 2026
Angelo must stop whoever’s coming for his family by searching his past hits for clues, and the list is very long.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 6 Apr. 2026
This discovery could offer fresh clues about how our galaxy evolved and how its dark matter is distributed, the study's researchers say.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 5 Apr. 2026
That means what may look like simple rocks are actually clues to the materials and conditions that gave rise to Earth.
—Maliya Ellis, Houston Chronicle, 5 Apr. 2026
And there are countless clues hidden in the artwork that tell a story about the people who’ve inspired it.
—Victoria Le, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2026
Orientale is a scientific archetype, offering clues to similar impacts on even more distant worlds, Young says.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 4 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clues
Noun
-
Researchers studied her cells by cultivating them in a laboratory and saw indications of a selective advantage, with healthy skin cells favored over diseased ones.—
Jerome Groopman,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
And in last night’s ninth inning, in the midst of plenty of indications the Padres have problems, there was a moment that might have provided a sign that Tatis is still Tatis — and maybe even has grown into a more complete version of himself.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The poem tells the story of the seduction of a sixteen-year-old girl by the watermonster, a mythical figure, weaving together themes of place, identity, trauma, and transformation.—
Patrick Dundon,
JSTOR Daily,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Meanwhile, carbs—the body’s primary energy source—increase your blood sugar, or blood glucose, and, in turn, trigger the pancreas to secrete insulin (a hormone that tells the body’s cells to absorb glucose to prevent an overload).—
Caroline Tien,
SELF,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Now, Zhang and his team have gone one step further and trained a Unitree Go2 robotic dog using a large language model via AI tool GPT-4 to question and respond to cues from the user and the environment.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The robots are also capable of identifying objects, detecting motion, interpreting emotional cues, and responding accordingly.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That experience directly informs how the Lynx XM30 is built, from survivability to mission effectiveness.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Some other Mayday operative will swing by the diner to pick Daisy up soon, June informs her.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There are hints tossed out to suggest his characters’ inner recesses.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
7 Apr. 2026
-
There are hints that some forms of present animal life predated the Cambrian.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
To escape a sinking car, the agency advises drivers to stay calm, unbuckle seat belts, roll down or break a window, and get out before the car fills with water.—
Neal Riley,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
If bitten, Dowd advises snake bite victims to remain calm, limit movement to slow the spread of venom and call 911 immediately.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In response to questions about the future of FEMA, Mullin pushed back on suggestions the agency could be shuttered for good.—
Nicole Sganga,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Servers are warm and gracious, while bartenders like The Cove’s Mario will learn cocktail preferences in no time and offer suggestions based on mood and palate.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
At times, there are delays while the agency notifies the next of kin.—
Ximena Bustillo,
NPR,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Parents rank schools in order of preference, and the district notifies them which one they’ve been assigned to.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clues.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clues. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
