HINKY Synonyms: 107 Similar and Opposite Words

hinky

adjective

ˈhiŋ-kē

Definition of hinky

slang

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

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 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

Funding fights, shifting eligibility rules and abrupt program cuts have played out simultaneously at the federal level, leaving many organizations unsure what the ground will look like from one quarter to the next.

— Keely Cat-Wells, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
At a time when many of their peers are unsure of what's next, the students are happy their skills are in demand.

— Andrea Hsu, NPR, 21 July 2026

Definition of unsure

Adjective

Some of them felt betrayed by Platner himself, while others don’t believe the accusations against him, find the timing suspicious or think there was more to the story.

— Margie Cullen, USA Today, 29 July 2026
Glen Powell is hitting the field once again — and this time, people are suspicious.

— Shelby Stivale, Entertainment Weekly, 29 July 2026

Definition of suspicious

Adjective

People can and should be skeptical about the sonnets written about starting NFL quarterbacks every offseason, when no one is getting sacked and almost everyone looks good.

— Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026
After clear signs that a judge was skeptical of its defense, Paramount decided to agree to go to trial and not to close the deal before June 1, 2027, or a favorable ruling, whichever comes first.

— Dade Hayes, Deadline, 28 July 2026

Definition of skeptical

Adjective

Baltimore City's latest crackdown on dirt bikes has some riders upset and asking for the mayor and police commissioner to meet with them.

— Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 29 July 2026
The day nurse is 100 percent correct that Catherine is crashing there, but no one really seems too upset about it.

— Erin Qualey, Vulture, 28 July 2026

Definition of upset

Adjective

Given the uncertain outcomes the Fed needs to think less in terms of linear economic curves and more probabilistically, in which case the potential upside for inflation given an energy price spike could warrant quicker action.

— Justin Zacks, CNBC, 24 July 2026
Still, officials emphasized that the CSU would have to be fiscally disciplined given that the state will have a new governor in January and the state’s budget outlook is uncertain.

— Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 24 July 2026

Definition of uncertain

Adjective

Kids who, like him, are growing up afraid and anxious because of domestic violence at home, and who need what Torre didn’t have — somewhere safe to go to for help.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2026
In June, a group of anxious European policy researchers issued Europe 2031, a scenario in which civilization between the Urals and the Atlantic ends up at least functionally extinct.

— Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 25 July 2026

Definition of anxious

Browse Nearby Words

hinging

hinky

hinnies

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Style

“Hinky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hinky. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of hinky

adjective

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