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
Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2026
Pay close attention to landscapes, architecture, street signs, and any geographic clues that appear on-screen.
—Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2026
Give officers background clues about routines, favorite locations, past wandering episodes and favorite familiar landmarks to narrow the search area.
—Panashe Matemba-Mutasa, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026
Brain imaging results from this latest study, which are still being analyzed, may offer further clues as to why the treatment worked.
—Will Stone, NPR, 10 Mar. 2026
Eliana doesn’t remember the attack, but Jon Frederick works his way through Eliana’s life and relationships looking for clues.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026
The abrasive nature of bleach will leave behind visual clues that it's already started the damaging process.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 2026
An expensive multinational search failed to turn up any clues to its location, although debris washed ashore on the east African coast and Indian Ocean islands.
—ABC News, 8 Mar. 2026
Investors will look for clues on how Beijing intends to achieve its domestic tech ambitions.
—Evelyn Cheng,anniek Bao, CNBC, 4 Mar. 2026
Noun
Note landscapes, architecture, street signs, and any geographic clues that flash across the screen.
—Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2026
Pay close attention to landscapes, architecture, street signs, and any geographic clues that appear on-screen.
—Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2026
Give officers background clues about routines, favorite locations, past wandering episodes and favorite familiar landmarks to narrow the search area.
—Panashe Matemba-Mutasa, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026
Brain imaging results from this latest study, which are still being analyzed, may offer further clues as to why the treatment worked.
—Will Stone, NPR, 10 Mar. 2026
Eliana doesn’t remember the attack, but Jon Frederick works his way through Eliana’s life and relationships looking for clues.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026
The abrasive nature of bleach will leave behind visual clues that it's already started the damaging process.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 2026
An expensive multinational search failed to turn up any clues to its location, although debris washed ashore on the east African coast and Indian Ocean islands.
—ABC News, 8 Mar. 2026
Investors will look for clues on how Beijing intends to achieve its domestic tech ambitions.
—Evelyn Cheng,anniek Bao, CNBC, 4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clues
Noun
-
Meanwhile, there are indications that instability may rebuild this evening in areas south and southeast of the metro, according to the weather service.—
Robert A. Cronkleton
March 6,
Kansas City Star,
6 Mar. 2026
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In clinical trials, pharmaceutical companies typically foot the bill, but, when the therapy is approved for specific indications, insurance companies or patients have to absorb the cost.—
Jason Liebowitz,
New Yorker,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Phil Alden Robinson directed Kevin Costner to one of the most beloved performances of his career as an average Iowan who hears a voice that tells him to build a baseball field.—
Brian Tallerico,
Vulture,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Jokic either fell or flopped — depending on who tells it — over the top of George four minutes into the game when the burgeoning Utah star tried the maneuver.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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This, in turn, can lead to overeating, as well as difficulty distinguishing between hunger and fullness cues—essential skills in budding eaters.—
Sally Kuzemchak,
Parents,
7 Mar. 2026
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In addition, cues such as success or prestige can lead people to see something as more morally good.—
Ionela Bara,
Scientific American,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In typical 30 Rock fashion, the bit reaches the height of absurdity when someone informs Arthur that some of the tennis balls are meant to be actual tennis balls in the scene.—
Eliana Dockterman,
Time,
5 Mar. 2026
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Doyle disappears down the corridor, and a title card informs us that Charnier got away.—
Paul Fitzgerald,
Rolling Stone,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
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There are some hints that along with the switch to colder weather, there could be some light snow.—
Cutter Martin,
CBS News,
10 Mar. 2026
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Stout is a full-bodied ale that lends toasty depth and hints of malt and hops to the broth.—
Lynda Balslev,
Mercury News,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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How to Pot and Repot Peach Trees Peach trees are fast growers, so Dickey advises choosing a dwarf variety bred for container growing.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
10 Mar. 2026
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Andersen advises ignoring any one particular economic indicator in favor of looking at longer term trends.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Judges cannot give legal advice or offer strategies or suggestions — ever.—
Florence Taylor Barner,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Mar. 2026
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There have been suggestions that California suspend its high gas tax during the crisis, but Bellisario said that's unlikely, given the state's tough budget situation.—
John Ramos,
CBS News,
10 Mar. 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 13 Mar. 2026.
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