1
as in clues
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
2
as in glimmers
an almost imperceptible sign of something
there was the slightest hint of scorn in her voice
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in tips
a piece of advice or useful information especially from an expert
some helpful hints for cleaning carpet stains
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in sprinklings
a very small amount
I detect just a hint of mint in the sauce
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in indicates
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hints
Eugene Robinson, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2026
Butterfly décor and hints of Mariah Carey lavender filled the Los Angeles Convention Center as the Queen of Christmas and R&B legend was celebrated on her big night.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2026
Also called sweetshrub, the blooms have a fruity fragrance with hints of pineapple, strawberry, and banana that is most prominent on warmer days.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 29 Jan. 2026
As always, however, some reports and creative hints have established the likeliest winners from WWE’s deep and talented roster.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Available in nine sizes, the rug's medallion pattern has subtle hints of blue, green, and pink throughout.
—Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
Any hints of improvements in the company’s large language model efforts will also be of interest.
—Matthew J. Belvedere, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2026
People crafted narratives out of suspicions, rumors and hints, to fill a desperate need for an explanation.
—M. Gessen, Mercury News, 27 Jan. 2026
There are also a couple of hints that the fate of Europe’s Jews is part of the prevailing atmosphere of unmentionable moral contagion.
—Christopher Tayler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 4 Feb. 2026
Bittersweet Baking Chocolate As the name hints, this chocolate has some sugar added to it.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 26 Jan. 2026
This discovery challenges how scientists think about the origins of sleep and hints that the basic machinery of sleeping brains is far older and more universal than anyone suspected.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 24 Jan. 2026
That emotional openness, Matheson hints, continues to shape Fak’s place in the restaurant’s evolving ecosystem.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026
But Raevyn hints that her twin brother Finch is involved in the killings.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Jan. 2026
Some early research hints that cold triggers parasympathetic activation (the body’s calming response), but most of the buzz here comes from anecdotal sources, not clinical trials.
—Marisa McMillan, Outside, 29 Dec. 2025
The sly addition hints that her 12th studio album will not be her last and that there will be more to come.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 23 Dec. 2025
Ewers, who played in one game this season, completing 5 of 8 passes for 53 yards in mop-up duty of a 31-6 loss to the Cleveland Browns, has a moxie to him that hints there might be something worthy of an investment in there.
—Miami Herald, 17 Dec. 2025
Noun
A day of poring over records, however, gave up nothing more than hints and shadows.
—Eugene Robinson, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2026
Butterfly décor and hints of Mariah Carey lavender filled the Los Angeles Convention Center as the Queen of Christmas and R&B legend was celebrated on her big night.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2026
Also called sweetshrub, the blooms have a fruity fragrance with hints of pineapple, strawberry, and banana that is most prominent on warmer days.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 29 Jan. 2026
As always, however, some reports and creative hints have established the likeliest winners from WWE’s deep and talented roster.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Available in nine sizes, the rug's medallion pattern has subtle hints of blue, green, and pink throughout.
—Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
Any hints of improvements in the company’s large language model efforts will also be of interest.
—Matthew J. Belvedere, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2026
People crafted narratives out of suspicions, rumors and hints, to fill a desperate need for an explanation.
—M. Gessen, Mercury News, 27 Jan. 2026
There are also a couple of hints that the fate of Europe’s Jews is part of the prevailing atmosphere of unmentionable moral contagion.
—Christopher Tayler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
The arrival experience hints that this isn’t a standard townhouse.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 4 Feb. 2026
Bittersweet Baking Chocolate As the name hints, this chocolate has some sugar added to it.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 26 Jan. 2026
This discovery challenges how scientists think about the origins of sleep and hints that the basic machinery of sleeping brains is far older and more universal than anyone suspected.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 24 Jan. 2026
That emotional openness, Matheson hints, continues to shape Fak’s place in the restaurant’s evolving ecosystem.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026
But Raevyn hints that her twin brother Finch is involved in the killings.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Jan. 2026
Some early research hints that cold triggers parasympathetic activation (the body’s calming response), but most of the buzz here comes from anecdotal sources, not clinical trials.
—Marisa McMillan, Outside, 29 Dec. 2025
The sly addition hints that her 12th studio album will not be her last and that there will be more to come.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 23 Dec. 2025
Ewers, who played in one game this season, completing 5 of 8 passes for 53 yards in mop-up duty of a 31-6 loss to the Cleveland Browns, has a moxie to him that hints there might be something worthy of an investment in there.
—Miami Herald, 17 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hints
Noun
-
These may include skipping meals, ignoring hunger clues, relying on rigid food rules and cutting out entire food groups, according to Garcia-Benson.—
Shiv Sudhakar,
FOXNews.com,
2 Feb. 2026
-
Sports Edition Coach — a spot to gather clues and discuss (and share) scores.—
Mark Cooper,
New York Times,
2 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In non-theme park play, the game revolves around Illumineers, glimmers, inklands, a lorebook and other buzzwords and actions that are important to players.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Jan. 2026
-
There’s still a long way to go to restore his status as a promising prospect, but there have been glimmers of hope the last couple weeks.—
Vincent Z. Mercogliano,
New York Times,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Officials continue to ask for tips or information that could help lead to Nancy Guthrie.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
-
This look is the opposite of those chunky, stark white French tips that defined the early-aughts manicure (and took up nearly half the nail bed).—
Laura Solla,
Glamour,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
My grandmother’s version typically called just for the addition of generous sprinklings of Lawry’s garlic salt and black pepper—and that’s it.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
5 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Reframing boundaries as capacity management rather than a blank refusal indicates a strong self-awareness and company-forward mindset.—
Kate Wieczorek,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Data from the state's Bureau of Finance & Management indicates several months measured in FY2025 saw dips in sales and use tax growth.—
Dominik Dausch,
Sioux Falls Argus Leader,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Self said early indications are Jackson and Peterson would be available for the contest.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
1 Feb. 2026
-
All indications from folks on Murray’s side suggest the 29-year-old would prefer to find a new destination ahead of the trade deadline.—
Sam Amick,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Other much-appreciated touches include breakfast available 24 hours a day, complimentary Berluti shoe shine for all guests, and the possibility of arranging in-room Bulgari jewellery viewings and sales when visiting the in-house boutique feels like a chore.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Asian touches throughout, including a stream of flowing water greeting guests in the lobby, help create an initial Zen atmosphere.—
Forbes Travel Guide,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
After three days of physical therapy and doctors’ advice, Vonn tried skiing on Tuesday.—
Andrew Dampf,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Feb. 2026
-
He was invited to offer advice to his successor and reflect on his return and the state of the company as the management baton pass unfolds.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hints.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hints. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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