Synonyms of hint

hint 1 of 2

noun

ˈhint 

1

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

• indication
• clue
• suggestion
• cue
• idea
• sign
• inkling
• intimation
• suspicion
• lead
• glimpse
• whiff
• mention
• evidence
• implication
• glimmer
• scent
• breath
• allusion
• tip
• inference
• signal
• insinuation
• hunch
• flicker
• inspiration
• innuendo
• wind
• key
• token
• assistance
• notion
• nod
• intuition
• prompt
• wink
• pointer
• symptom
• feeling
• overtone
• telltale
• premonition
• guidepost
• denotation
• foretaste
• presentiment
• harbinger
• foreboding
• presage
• omen
• portent
• tip-off
• mark
• augury
• prefigurement
• foreshadower

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• solution
• answer

2

as in glimmer

an almost imperceptible sign of something

there was the slightest hint of scorn in her voice

Synonyms & Similar Words

• glimmer
• touch
• flicker
• suggestion
• trace
• sign
• breath
• whiff
• indication
• evidence
• tang
• scent
• inkling
• wind
• intimation
• mark

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• saturation
• permeation
• pervasion

3

as in tip

a piece of advice or useful information especially from an expert

some helpful hints for cleaning carpet stains

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tip
• advice
• suggestion
• recommendation
• instruction
• pointer
• lead
• assistance
• direction
• sign
• warning
• clue
• feedback
• guidance
• signal
• solution
• reminder
• brief
• observation
• answer
• advisement
• prompt
• telltale
• counsel
• cautioning
• tip-off
• caution
• urging

4

as in sprinkling

a very small amount

I detect just a hint of mint in the sauce

Synonyms & Similar Words

• glimmer
• sprinkling
• shred
• splash
• touch
• bit
• little
• speck
• lick
• trace
• tad
• spark
• dab
• particle
• smidgen
• handful
• suspicion
• sliver
• scintilla
• smell
• smidgeon
• ray
• smack
• pinch
• ounce
• smidge
• soupçon
• smidgin
• streak
• crumb
• dash
• shade
• minimum
• fleck
• scruple
• spatter
• bite
• dram
• portion
• drop
• dose
• shadow
• strain
• spot
• nip
• peanuts
• mite
• taste
• drop in the bucket
• skosh
• ace
• grain
• modicum
• snap
• part
• iota
• whit
• semblance
• driblet
• vestige
• section
• jot
• molecule
• syllable
• patch
• nibble
• tittle
• dot
• smattering
• fragment
• mote
• atom
• morsel
• hoot
• minim
• scrap
• granule
• scattering
• shiver
• flake
• flyspeck
• shard
• splinter
• smatter
• nubbin
• clipping
• chip
• tatter
• paring
• shaving
• shot
• smithereens

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• plenty
• lot
• loads
• quantity
• deal
• abundance
• wealth
• pile
• bundle
• mass
• heaps
• mountain
• mess
• stack
• bushel
• bucket
• boatload
• gobs
• barrel
• peck
• wad
• profusion
• oodles
• fistful
• raft
• volume
• scads
• reams
• lashings
• passel
• excess
• much
• surplus
• embarrassment
• potful
• overflow
• overabundance
• surfeit
• lashins
• chunk
• superfluity
• superabundance
• bonanza
• overkill
• slab
• oversupply
• overage
• overmuch
• lump
• hunk

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

• indicate
• imply
• suggest
• allude
• refer
• infer
• mention
• signify
• point
• intimate
• signal
• insinuate
• smell (of)
• signalize
• advert
• smack (of)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• explain
• announce
• declare
• proclaim
• describe
• elucidate
• spell out
• delineate

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

Recent Examples of hint

Noun

Beijing said there have been no trade talks — contrary to the hints and claims swirling stateside. —Catherine Baab, Quartz, 24 Apr. 2025

The remarks come after hints that the administration was looking at ways to fire Powell. —Medora Lee, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025

Verb

Again, hinting that the physical movement is the important aspect of rhythmic priming. —New Atlas, 9 Apr. 2025

Ryan Blaney hinted that 23XI Racing driver Bubba Wallace was responsible for spinning out Kyle Larson during the NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington. —John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025