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
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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
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These delicate items can’t be tossed in the washing machine, which leaves many people unsure how to clean them.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
5 Mar. 2026
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Adults who are unsure can check vaccination records or consult with their health care provider.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
His first attempt was aborted after a phone call with his worried mother, and the second and third attempts were derailed because the team officials suspected his intentions and dropped him from the squad.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Easy-to-install solar panels that plug into a regular outlet are getting attention just as Americans are worried about rising energy costs.—
Jeff Brady,
NPR,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Cavello said the mayor was in contact with the police commissioner and receiving information on the protest, counterprotest and the suspicious devices.—
Mark Crudele,
ABC News,
7 Mar. 2026
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The Mayor has spoken with Police Commissioner Tisch, and the NYPD is actively investigating the protest, counter-protest, and suspicious devices discovered outside Gracie Mansion.—
Andrew Ramos,
CBS News,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The across-the-board beat may help settle a nervous investor base, at least for the time being, as Oracle’s results and backlog point to a continuing surge in demand for AI infrastructure.—
Jordan Novet,
CNBC,
10 Mar. 2026
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Projections by Paramount’s management team that at least $6 billion in cost savings will result from the merger have made all of Hollywood nervous, but especially the workforce at WBD.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Judge Paul Friedman appeared skeptical of government claims that the policy is necessary for national security.—
Michael Kunzelman,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
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There were skeptical voices at MWC, pointing out the failures of AI projects as well as the opportunities.—
Kamal Ahmed,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Frogs made enough big shots in the final minutes to prevent another upset.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
7 Mar. 2026
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However, other kids of the same age range might be more upset by the violence and harsh realities of nature—especially the ruthless and brutal of hierarchy of nature during the dinosaur years.—
Alex Shoemaker,
Parents,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Outline your plans carefully, because regular progress should feel better than chasing an uncertain finish line.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
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Iran’s uncertain future is also central to the equation shifting in favor of IMEC.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The film is at its best building tension and showing us just how anxious life is under dictatorial rule.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
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The anxious impatience of being en route has permeated cootie catcher’s music since their earliest releases in 2021.—
Jude Noel,
Pitchfork,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hinky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hinky. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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