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
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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
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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
-
When Arkansas implemented Medicaid work requirements in 2018, a Harvard survey found that more than 70% of affected residents remained unsure whether the policy was in place, even after the state sent nearly 600,000 letters, made 230,000 phone calls, and published hundreds of social media posts.—
Jesse Pines,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
-
Maradona, for his part, repeatedly backheeled the ball while sprinting at full pelt, leaving England defenders unsure whether to follow the player or the ball.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
Kyoto, Japan — Nancy Higginbotham wasn’t worried when her 20-year-old son got on a train by himself during their family vacation in Japan.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
-
Farmers are now worried the beef industry could be on the fritz for a while.—
Justin Klawans,
TheWeek,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
The duo first appear in parodied versions of the Longlegs roles originated by Blair Underwood and Maika Monroe midway through Scary Movie, standing by as their fellow officers are sent off after a suspicious perp.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 June 2026
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The Bahraini military urged residents to exercise caution around any unfamiliar or suspicious objects that may have fallen as a result of the attacks and to report them immediately to authorities.—
Rena Rowe,
The Washington Examiner,
6 June 2026
Adjective
-
JPMorgan's traders are getting nervous about the state of the current stock market.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
8 June 2026
-
Countless fans have taken to social media with similar issues, but some were too nervous to talk with WBZ-TV on camera for fear of it impacting their status.—
Mike Sullivan,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
Adjective
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But it's also made people even more skeptical of public figures whose appearances seem naturally frozen in time.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
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Many consumers are wary, skeptical, and even disgusted by AI content in ads.—
Melissa A. Wheeler,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
Brueggmann was more than good Friday, lifting the Warriors to a 2-1 upset victory over Marist in a Class 4A state semifinal game at Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in Peoria.—
Tony Baranek,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2026
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According to the standings, this wasn’t much of an upset.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
Adjective
-
The fate of the House bill is uncertain in the Senate.—
Caitlin Yilek,
CBS News,
5 June 2026
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And yet, the complex plot comes down to the bond between Albus and Scorpius, who are living in their fathers’ shadows, bullied and uncertain of themselves, as their connections with their dads falter.—
John Wenzel,
Denver Post,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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At one end is the anxious, under‑saved retiree doing everything possible to stretch limited assets.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
7 June 2026
-
During the first week of the cell phone ban at my school, students were anxious about losing the constant stream of their music, the ability to maintain instant communication with friends, and the immediate access to their social media feeds.—
Sarah Said,
Chicago Tribune,
5 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hinky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hinky. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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