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

The study also contained hints that treating young children can improve motor function, not just stabilize it. — Jonathan Wosen, STAT, 3 Sep. 2026 But smokejumpers generally eschew the spotlight—even a hint of braggadocio amid their ranks is looked down upon—and so their work feels especially shrouded. — M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 2 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

Insider tip As this is a B&B, don't skip the breakfast, which is à la carte and more than worth waking up for.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Sep. 2026
Following a tip from a Holocaust survivor, Joseph is investigating the possibility that Russel might be a Nazi in hiding.

— Zac Ntim, Deadline, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of tip

Noun

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
Her clothes are simple but bright, with sometimes a bit of shiny thread or a sprinkling of sequins; décolletage is a thing of the future.

— Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of sprinkling

Verb

Johnson’s presnap movement also indicates to a quarterback whether the Dolphins are in man coverage, or zone, and that helps their pre and post-snap decision making.

— Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 14 Sep. 2026
However, our study indicates that school choice can often lead to greater segregation and inequality.

— Beth Lloyd, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of indicate

Noun

Scientists are uncovering clues that suggest cosmic rays come from extremely hot and faraway areas of the universe, ejected by exploding stars and powerful objects called supermassive black holes.

— Jesse Liu, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2026
This has told them that 3I/ATLAS contains more nitrogen than the typical comet from our own solar system — revealing a tantalizing clue about how the strange comet formed.

— Rahul Rao, Space.com, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of clue

Noun

Every digital touch point, from the app to the billing portal, should confirm participation, show impact and reinforce the incentive.

— Amber Mullaney, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
That's a fair bit more than similar-sized alternatives from AOC ($50) and Lenovo ($150), but those don't support wireless connectivity or touch input.

— Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of touch

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 21 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of hint

noun

verb

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