HINT Synonyms: 239 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'hint' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of hint are imply , insinuate , intimate , and suggest . While all these words mean "to convey an idea indirectly," hint implies the use of slight or remote suggestion with a minimum of overt statement. // hinted that she might get the job

Q: How are the words 'imply' and 'suggest' related as synonyms of 'hint'?

Imply is close to suggest but may indicate a more definite or logical relation of the unexpressed idea to the expressed. // measures implying that bankruptcy was imminent

Q: When is 'insinuate' a more appropriate choice than 'hint'?

The meanings of insinuate and hint largely overlap; however, insinuate applies to the conveying of a usually unpleasant idea in a sly underhanded manner. // insinuated that there were shady dealings

Q: When might 'intimate' be a better fit than 'hint'?

The words intimate and hint can be used in similar contexts, but intimate stresses delicacy of suggestion without connoting any lack of candor. // intimates that there is more to the situation than meets the eye

Q: In what contexts can 'suggest' take the place of 'hint'?

While in some cases nearly identical to hint , suggest may stress putting into the mind by association of ideas, awakening of a desire, or initiating a train of thought. // a film title that suggests its subject matter

hint 1 of 2

noun

ˈhint

Definition of hint

as in indication

a slight or indirect pointing to something (as a solution or explanation) can't you give me some hint as to where you're taking me?

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in glimmer

an almost imperceptible sign of something there was the slightest hint of scorn in her voice

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in tip

a piece of advice or useful information especially from an expert some helpful hints for cleaning carpet stains

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in sprinkling

a very small amount I detect just a hint of mint in the sauce

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hint

2 of 2

verb

as in to indicate

to convey an idea indirectly kept hinting that she wouldn't mind an invitation to spend the weekend at their beach house

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word hint distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of hint are imply, insinuate, intimate, and suggest. While all these words mean "to convey an idea indirectly," hint implies the use of slight or remote suggestion with a minimum of overt statement.

hinted that she might get the job

How are the words imply and suggest related as synonyms of hint?

Imply is close to suggest but may indicate a more definite or logical relation of the unexpressed idea to the expressed.

measures implying that bankruptcy was imminent

When is insinuate a more appropriate choice than hint?

The meanings of insinuate and hint largely overlap; however, insinuate applies to the conveying of a usually unpleasant idea in a sly underhanded manner.

insinuated that there were shady dealings

When might intimate be a better fit than hint?

The words intimate and hint can be used in similar contexts, but intimate stresses delicacy of suggestion without connoting any lack of candor.

intimates that there is more to the situation than meets the eye

In what contexts can suggest take the place of hint?

While in some cases nearly identical to hint, suggest may stress putting into the mind by association of ideas, awakening of a desire, or initiating a train of thought.

a film title that suggests its subject matter

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 hint

Noun

Made from 100 percent silk, this dress feels like cool water against your skin and has a hint of stretch. — Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 28 Oct. 2026 With an authentic artistic approach full of empowerment, Bruenner, who’s artistically known as TINNA, explores the fusion of contemporary pop sounds with hints of flamenco. — Natalia Cano, Billboard, 28 Oct. 2026

Verb

With the midterms coming up and the administration hinting generally at more budget cuts in the past week, educators here want to spread the word. — Lauren Linder, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026 Although Merlot is included in this first vintage, Alessandro hints that the blend may change over time, as cultivation of Merlot has become challenging as growing conditions have evolved with climate change. — Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hint

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hint

Noun

Frenzy 6’s upcoming integration work will provide the next indication of how quickly the design can move toward flight.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026
No escapee is known to have come from the OGD’s central ranks, an indication of the control imposed on the country’s most influential officials.

— Jieun Baek, Foreign Affairs, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of indication

Noun

But that’s a glimmer of progress in an overall bleak data set.

— Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2026
Curt Cignetti has not just provided a championship mindset for the passionate fans that were sitting through days of blowouts and small glimmers of hope in past years.

— Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of glimmer

Noun

The original tip about the arrests, Israel’s Channel 12 News later reported, came from Netanyahu’s chief of staff, who bypassed standard channels to personally reach the police commissioner.

— Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026
How investigators caught Turner Authorities said an investigation into Turner was launched in October 2025, following a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

— Briauna Brown, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of tip

Noun

Special teams had had a sprinkling of errors — like the game-opening 81-yard kickoff return Miami allowed — hindered that unit’s performance each week.

— Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026
As ever, the lineup is a mix of new features from Asia’s best auteurs, a sprinkling of Hollywood movies and projects from up-and-coming filmmakers.

— Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of sprinkling

Verb

Astronomers have cataloged more than 6,000 exoplanets and are examining the atmospheres of promising worlds for gases that could indicate biological activity.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
Who starts Saturday’s game at Kansas is uncertain, but Frost indicated that Barnett could see action this weekend against the Jayhawks.

— Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of indicate

Noun

That clue and the cross on the coffin led the researchers to reason that the skeleton probably belonged to an important man, most likely the abbot of Westminster.

— Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026
But experts say audio recorded from minutes before the crash may offer clues as to what happened.

— Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of clue

Noun

The owner of a trucking business, Collins has represented Georgia in the House since 2023, and attempted to cast Ossoff as out of touch with Georgian values.

— Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026
Inside, the design mixes airy and contemporary touches (gray-blue marble, mosaic floors) with traditional details and, of course, the brand's signature orange.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of touch

Noun

Mothers are given a lot of advice about vaccinations during pregnancy and in their baby’s first year, but grandparents may not have those same kind of check-ins with their doctors.

— Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2026
Iris can compare products, offer layering advice, and direct shoppers to retailers, with current pricing and stock information.

— Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of advice

Browse Nearby Words

hinny

hint

hint (at)

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Hint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hint. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of hint

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

effrontery

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

The Words of the Week - Nov. 6

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes