as in indications
a slight or indirect pointing to something (as a solution or explanation)
vainly searched for a clue to the answer
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Recent Examples of clues
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2026
Bitcoin payments continue to play a role in the quest for clues about the whereabouts of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old whose mysterious abduction earlier this month has captivated the nation.
—Carlos Garcia, Fortune, 17 Feb. 2026
Scientists believe the geology of Mars may hold valuable clues about past ancient life, and so the robotic vehicles, controlled remotely from Earth, have slowly navigated the rocky terrain to scoop up and collect intriguing samples.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026
Authorities have described the case as a possible kidnapping or abduction, but clues have been scarce.
—Liz Kreutz, NBC news, 16 Feb. 2026
On Friday night, authorities said that investigators were searching Nancy Guthrie’s home and the surrounding area for clues.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 16 Feb. 2026
At City Hall, both supporters and critics of Bass have been retracing recent events, looking for clues as to how things went wrong.
—Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2026
Experts say the video could contain a mountain of clues.
—ABC News, 14 Feb. 2026
The rollout and design of the Obamas’ healthy-eating initiatives offer some clues as to how this happened.
—Annie Levin, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
Noun
The condition of the plant’s leaves and soil will provide clues.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2026
Bitcoin payments continue to play a role in the quest for clues about the whereabouts of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old whose mysterious abduction earlier this month has captivated the nation.
—Carlos Garcia, Fortune, 17 Feb. 2026
Scientists believe the geology of Mars may hold valuable clues about past ancient life, and so the robotic vehicles, controlled remotely from Earth, have slowly navigated the rocky terrain to scoop up and collect intriguing samples.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026
Authorities have described the case as a possible kidnapping or abduction, but clues have been scarce.
—Liz Kreutz, NBC news, 16 Feb. 2026
On Friday night, authorities said that investigators were searching Nancy Guthrie’s home and the surrounding area for clues.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 16 Feb. 2026
At City Hall, both supporters and critics of Bass have been retracing recent events, looking for clues as to how things went wrong.
—Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2026
Experts say the video could contain a mountain of clues.
—ABC News, 14 Feb. 2026
The rollout and design of the Obamas’ healthy-eating initiatives offer some clues as to how this happened.
—Annie Levin, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clues
Noun
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Check the stems for rigidity and make sure that plant material is clean with no indications of mold or decay.—
Heather Zidack,
Hartford Courant,
15 Feb. 2026
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Cara, age 4, of Santa Ana is happy and energetic and, by all indications, super smart.—
Andre Mouchard,
Oc Register,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The look tells us where style might go next – a more nuanced conversation.—
Rachel Tashjian,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
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Earlier in the show, Chioma tells Choe how British Vogue’s Gisele Pelicot digital cover story came to be.—
Chelsea Daniel,
Vogue,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The crew will not only have to field lengthy acceptance speeches, music cues and shepherd 2,500 guests around, but also facilitate live performances from KPop Demon Hunters trio Huntrix and Jessie Ware.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Feb. 2026
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While promoting The Testament of Ann Lee at the Berlin International Film Festival, the actor chose to say goodbye to winter dressing style cues.—
Daisy Maldonado,
InStyle,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That same creative experimentation informs event programming.—
Lyssanoel Frater,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
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Many say that his unapologetic message of equality and justice informs their work today.—
Matt Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Thrilling are the hints of feminine power.—
Arden Fanning Andrews,
Vogue,
17 Feb. 2026
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Ancestry continues to provide hints about older ancestors, giving you the ability to dig even deeper into your family history.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Marshall advises everyone to eat lots of fruits and vegetables and whole grains.—
Lauran Neergaard,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
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Wash not only like colors together, but like fabrics together, Ceconi advises.—
Kate Van Pelt,
The Spruce,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Despite not having many suggestions, Swonk still feels compelled to document the numbers that suggest not all is well.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
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Also, try not to make too many suggestions when your little one is playing, such as what color crayon to use or where to put the piece of the puzzle.—
Cynthia Hanson,
Parents,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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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
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Once the Department notifies a borrower that their wages are to be garnished, the person in default has 30 days to respond before the government orders their employer to withhold a portion — up to 15% — of their post-tax paycheck.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
16 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clues.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clues. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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