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

Surrounded by towering trees, Kitch-iti-kipi’s surface pulls rich green and teal hues during the spring and summer; splashes of orange and yellow during the fall; and hints of white come winter. — Savannah Born, Travel + Leisure, 17 Sep. 2026 There’s not a whiff of the urgency of the studio, no hint of the emotional or psychological state in which these objects were made. — Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2026

Verb

Reid hinted this week that the plan would be to put Benson at left tackle and veteran Jaylon Moore at right. — Jesse Newell, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026 While historians might argue that there is no contest, the question hints knowingly at the novelist’s counter-argument. — Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hint

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hint

Noun

As consumers use emerging tools like AI to explore different looks and try on silhouettes, this data is an early indication of the looks capturing consumers’ attention throughout the year.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026
Igoe said there was no indication the suspect was armed but noted that a vehicle could be used as a deadly weapon.

— Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of indication

Noun

These are the glimmers of something in the fringes that keep The Cherry Orchard, even in our age of jonesing to burn it all down, so miraculously delicate and devastating.

— Sara Holdren, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
The summer departure of Pep Guardiola after a decade in charge of Manchester City offered rivals Manchester United a glimmer of hope that a shift in power could be around the corner.

— Cerys Jones, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2026

Definition of glimmer

Noun

Sandy praises her crew for performing efficiently under pressure, and gives out the $1,807 each of them earned from a $23,500 tip.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
Dog grooming tips like these show that grooming your dog at home can go well beyond a quick wipe-down.

— Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of tip

Noun

Some versions are sold as wedges, while others are finely grated and packaged for easy sprinkling over spaghetti or casseroles.

— Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 15 Sep. 2026
Danny Boyle adopts a similar strategy with this snazzy screen adaptation, shot through with kinetic energy, convulsive editing and a liberal sprinkling of post-punk, electro-pop and indie rock that thumbs its nose at period accuracy.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of sprinkling

Verb

Projections by public broadcaster ARD on Sunday night indicated that Merz's center-right Christian Democratic Union, or CDU, came in with just 5% in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania -- the lowest result since World War II for the party in any state.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Sep. 2026
Investors wanted more Even as Novo indicates stable operating margins, Monday’s announcement lacks the financial ambition the market wanted to see, Jacob Pedersen, investment strategist at Danish bank Middelfart Sparekasse, told CNBC.

— Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of indicate

Noun

Swifties searched for Easter eggs in the SVU sketch, indicating there might be clues about her next album.

— Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Sep. 2026
Some are caught on doorbell or security cameras that offer vital clues; others are taken within sight of witnesses who can point police toward a potential abductor.

— Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of clue

Noun

Aside from talking about some style regrets, did your mom have any advice for you?

— Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 16 Sep. 2026
A week after the Republican midterm convention where Trump delivered his advice, most GOP congressional candidates are ignoring it, a Washington Post analysis of more than a million social media posts by politicians found.

— Clara Ence Morse, Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of advice

Browse Nearby Words

hinny

hint

hint (at)

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Hint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hint. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of hint

noun

verb

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