1
as in unsure
not feeling sure about the truth, wisdom, or trustworthiness of someone or something
the cop was feeling hinky about the whole situation and was starting to think that it was a setup
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in worried
feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty
after noticing that the driver seemed hinky, the border guard demanded that he submit to an inspection of his vehicle
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 hinky
Even with such an expansion afoot, odd missteps, hinky plotholes, and confounding questions still abound.
—
Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 19 Nov. 2024
These sorts of trust schemes have been around a long time and are known by a variety of hinky names such as the constitutional equity pure trust or a pure trust organization.
—Jay Adkisson, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024
Well, that's the question that some people will ask is: Why didn't someone just throw a hinky vote at someone?
—EW.com, 2 Nov. 2023
Lumber prices have shot up again in a rise reminiscent of a year ago, when high-climbing wood prices warned of the hinky supply lines and broad inflation to come.
—Ryan Dezember, WSJ, 19 Dec. 2021
Some of these outcasts — like the would-be killer of Ronald Reagan, John Hinckley (a hinky looking Adam Chanler-Berat) — are all too familiar.
—Marilyn Stasio, Variety, 14 Nov. 2021
The scene at the small, Northeast Hancock Street house was hinky.
—oregonlive, 3 May 2021
Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 19 Nov. 2024
These sorts of trust schemes have been around a long time and are known by a variety of hinky names such as the constitutional equity pure trust or a pure trust organization.
—Jay Adkisson, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024
Well, that's the question that some people will ask is: Why didn't someone just throw a hinky vote at someone?
—EW.com, 2 Nov. 2023
Lumber prices have shot up again in a rise reminiscent of a year ago, when high-climbing wood prices warned of the hinky supply lines and broad inflation to come.
—Ryan Dezember, WSJ, 19 Dec. 2021
Some of these outcasts — like the would-be killer of Ronald Reagan, John Hinckley (a hinky looking Adam Chanler-Berat) — are all too familiar.
—Marilyn Stasio, Variety, 14 Nov. 2021
The scene at the small, Northeast Hancock Street house was hinky.
—oregonlive, 3 May 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hinky
Adjective
-
People hesitated, unsure of how to play with something new without looking foolish.—
Cas Holman,
CNBC,
21 Oct. 2025
-
As groceries get more expensive and Americans remain unsure about their economic future, shoppers are gravitating toward a tried-and-true budget meal.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Tang thought about his other friends who are worried about their aging parents.—
Madeline Mitchell,
USA Today,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Too many guys would be too worried about keeping their scholarships, never mind their snaps.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Throw away anything that looks suspicious.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Journalists tend to be the type of people who run toward suspicious scenes.—
Joan Meiners,
AZCentral.com,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Although Buffalo has allowed just 47 points in its last two games (both losses), the Chiefs offense has people nervous.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Not only are recent graduates nervous that their jobs could be replaced by AI, the application process is also becoming disrupted by the tools.—
Jessica Coacci,
Fortune,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Drafted in the first round out of Texas Tech in 2017—a move that many fans were initially skeptical of—Mahomes only saw a few spot appearances before eventually taking over as the Chiefs’ starting quarterback.—
Cole Sullivan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Oct. 2025
-
The Pfizer exec played a critical role in helping Mamdani connect with New York's skeptical business community.—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Even after the misunderstanding, Herrera didn't appear to be upset.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Kim was upset, especially when the hamster unexpectedly died shortly after.—
Sydni Ellis,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Akheem Mesidor’s status uncertain Those wanting to know more about Hurricanes edge rusher Akheem Mesidor’s status for Saturday’s game against Stanford will have to wait a little bit longer.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Major deals now feature 20-30 year funding horizons—extraordinary bets on technologies whose commercial viability five years from now remains uncertain.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Some men avoid the gym or the beach altogether, wear baggy shirts year-round or feel anxious about intimacy.—
Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt,
CNN Money,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Ottosson says reading the script was an anxious experience in itself.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hinky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hinky. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share