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

Audiences unaware that Altman is gay might pick up on subtle hints in Garfield’s performance, before Musk jokes about it during a dinner scene or a boyfriend is finally seen well into the film. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026 Still, there are hints of purpose in such transitory alignments, a sense of intuitive forces at work. — Reed Jackson, SPIN, 6 Oct. 2026

Verb

Bloys hinted that bundling would be the focus given the distinct subscriber bases of the two services, which combined have more than 200 million global subscribers. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026 Participants hinted that the rally marked the beginning of a prolonged global campaign among artists and musicians, perhaps based in Chicago, to regulate AI in music and support human artists. — Shun Graves, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hint

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hint

Noun

Neither candidate can escape political baggage The debate also offered little indication that either candidate had found a way to overcome the concerns that could limit his appeal.

— Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026
There is no indication the charity intends to share its classrooms’ recordings with anybody else, but fears about the potential misuse of surveillance technology are heightened in Gaza after three years of war.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of indication

Noun

Still, Crow—the ever-optimist, as her body of work proves—clings on to the glimmers of hope from leaders of the world who do show us the best parts of humanity.

— Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 9 Oct. 2026
Viewers get only glimmers of the characters’ personalities and backgrounds, but the show offers enough detail and texture to understand how Season 1 might unfold.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of glimmer

Noun

The staff are attentive and put in a lot of effort, ready to share tips and favourite restaurants, and really go the extra mile to make your stay pleasant and memorable.

— Julia Wytrazek, TheWeek, 13 Oct. 2026
After Collins’ family reported her missing, police followed a tip to the Pham’s unit, nestled behind NoDa’s main strip, and found Collins wrapped in duct tape and stuffed into a mattress.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 13 Oct. 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

Noun

Plush carpeting, touches of turquoise in a largely eggshell-forward palette, tasteful landscape paintings that border on abstract, and spacious private balconies make up the subtle suite design, allaying any worries of dowdy beach resort decor.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026
The format also has some whimsical touches including a life-size Santa and dancing penguins.

— David Moin, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of touch

Noun

Barker recalled giving a mutual guy friend some dating advice about just having fun and hooking up with women, advising him to think of dating as a sport, while trying to not get too emotionally invested.

— Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2026
Rick Hanson’s advice on appreciating positive experiences suggests that being present can be just as important as the money spent on an outing.

— Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of advice

Browse Nearby Words

hinny

hint

hint (at)

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Style

“Hint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hint. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of hint

noun

verb

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