as in indicating
to convey an idea indirectly
kept hinting that she wouldn't mind an invitation to spend the weekend at their beach house
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Recent Examples of hinting
Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Mekies addressed the media on the topic after the race at Zandvoort, hinting that the team will take its own time to decide about Verstappen's teammate.
—Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
In the closing scene, Lilli steps outside the villa and finds Tom waiting for her — hinting that their romance isn’t over quite yet.
—Emily Blackwood, People.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Musk had long been hinting on social media that a flight test for Starship was due in August.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2025
Retail transaction volumes rose more modestly than spending values, hinting higher prices, rather than greater quantities, may have driven part of the increase.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 13 Aug. 2025
To put icing on the cake, just last year, on August 12, 2024, Swift wore an orange-and-green plaid outfit, possibly hinting that something was on the way.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2025
The new research corroborates earlier studies hinting that lithium might be important for Alzheimer’s.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2025
Again, hinting that the physical movement is the important aspect of rhythmic priming.
—New Atlas, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
Looking at Elliott’s post-2024 drives, six-month outcomes have generally been favorable—hinting PEP could see a similar pattern.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Mekies addressed the media on the topic after the race at Zandvoort, hinting that the team will take its own time to decide about Verstappen's teammate.
—Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
In the closing scene, Lilli steps outside the villa and finds Tom waiting for her — hinting that their romance isn’t over quite yet.
—Emily Blackwood, People.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Musk had long been hinting on social media that a flight test for Starship was due in August.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2025
Retail transaction volumes rose more modestly than spending values, hinting higher prices, rather than greater quantities, may have driven part of the increase.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 13 Aug. 2025
To put icing on the cake, just last year, on August 12, 2024, Swift wore an orange-and-green plaid outfit, possibly hinting that something was on the way.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2025
The new research corroborates earlier studies hinting that lithium might be important for Alzheimer’s.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2025
Again, hinting that the physical movement is the important aspect of rhythmic priming.
—New Atlas, 9 Apr. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hinting
Verb
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In a response posted to social media, Kennedy hit back at the pediatrics academy's criticism, implying that the organization's views were influenced by corporate pharmaceutical funders.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
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The Moon was doing something that the Sun wasn’t — emitting gamma-rays — implying that, somehow, the Moon was doing a whole lot more than just reflecting sunlight.—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The album cover, which was shared on Instagram, was immediately met with harsh criticism as many fans labeled the photograph of the singer on all fours with a man pulling her hair as suggestive.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
6 Sep. 2025
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Yes, the suggestive dance routines indicate Carpenter really studied Miley Cyrus’s Bangerz-era twerk heard round the world.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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According to Amazon, the quilt has fewer returns than average compared to similar products, indicating that customers hold on to the popular set.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Sep. 2025
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However, continuing claims for benefits are above the lows, indicating some slowdown in people being rehired after losing their jobs.—
Bill Stone,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In the process, the day-to-day nightmare of Dana’s new reality gets lost, even if the more insinuating discomfort of her present-day reality has been enhanced.—
Daniel Fienberg,
The Hollywood Reporter,
8 Dec. 2022
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The complaint says that since at least early 2021, McKillips had been posting messages insinuating or explicitly threatening to harm the government or federal agents.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC News,
2 Nov. 2022
Verb
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Critics question the plan, suggesting the historic building be incorporated into a more substantial development.—
Matthew Glowicki,
The Courier-Journal,
3 Sep. 2025
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Reports surfaced this week suggesting that Chelsea Clinton may be considering a run for Congress in New York's 12th District, where longtime Democratic Representative Jerry Nadler has announced his retirement.—
Theo Burman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The symbolic weight of the Golden Lion matters, not just to the artists but to the entire field.—
Charlie Fink,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
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The ruling landed as a symbolic rebuke of Musk’s sway over Tesla, and a warning about the excesses of Silicon Valley’s cult-of-founder ethos.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Its stony soil and cool climate produce lower yields, but more expressive flavors, especially in chardonnay, pinot noir, and sparkling wines.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Sep. 2025
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While nostalgia—drawing people to the warmth, color, and the carefree spirit of the 1970s—certainly plays a role, leaning back into this style is also about creating spaces that feel personal, expressive, and welcoming.—
Shivani Vyas,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hinting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hinting. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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