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
Judge Glock, Washington Post, 9 Jan. 2026
No arrests have been announced, nor have police offered any hints for a motive for the killing.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026
Gamers have turned to walkthroughs and hints for years, but usually after banging their own heads against difficult challenges, and hence learning something in the process.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 8 Jan. 2026
To do this, the dogs had to go into a separate room where the pile was located, so the humans couldn't give them any hints.
—Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 8 Jan. 2026
In a 2024 paper, four AI researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology argued that these hints of convergence are no fluke.
—Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 7 Jan. 2026
Former royal butler Grant Harrold recently spoke with Heart Bingo about how the royals celebrate their birthdays, giving some hints as to how Princess Kate may be feted.
—Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
For now, though, the pop star isn't giving any hints.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 5 Jan. 2026
The tight end, though, has remained mum on his plans for 2026, not giving any hints one way or another.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 5 Jan. 2026
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
Both are pictured on the same Hollywood lot, which hints that the pair might be working together.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Dec. 2025
But if future data show the hierarchy is inverted, Patterson says the current dataset already hints that neutrinos may violate CP symmetry.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 4 Dec. 2025
As the name hints, each formula is powered by vitamin C-rich yuzu extract—a gold-standard brightener for boosting radiance and evening out tone.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 2 Dec. 2025
Durant, 37, reportedly signed a two-year extension worth $90 million with the team on Sunday and the move to acquire the 15-time NBA All-Star hints that the franchise is all-in this season.
—Ben Morse, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
The governor-elect’s plans provide hints of how progressives elsewhere will try to tackle affordability problems.
—Judge Glock, Washington Post, 9 Jan. 2026
No arrests have been announced, nor have police offered any hints for a motive for the killing.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026
Gamers have turned to walkthroughs and hints for years, but usually after banging their own heads against difficult challenges, and hence learning something in the process.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 8 Jan. 2026
To do this, the dogs had to go into a separate room where the pile was located, so the humans couldn't give them any hints.
—Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 8 Jan. 2026
In a 2024 paper, four AI researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology argued that these hints of convergence are no fluke.
—Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 7 Jan. 2026
Former royal butler Grant Harrold recently spoke with Heart Bingo about how the royals celebrate their birthdays, giving some hints as to how Princess Kate may be feted.
—Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
For now, though, the pop star isn't giving any hints.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 5 Jan. 2026
The tight end, though, has remained mum on his plans for 2026, not giving any hints one way or another.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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
Both are pictured on the same Hollywood lot, which hints that the pair might be working together.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Dec. 2025
But if future data show the hierarchy is inverted, Patterson says the current dataset already hints that neutrinos may violate CP symmetry.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 4 Dec. 2025
As the name hints, each formula is powered by vitamin C-rich yuzu extract—a gold-standard brightener for boosting radiance and evening out tone.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 2 Dec. 2025
Durant, 37, reportedly signed a two-year extension worth $90 million with the team on Sunday and the move to acquire the 15-time NBA All-Star hints that the franchise is all-in this season.
—Ben Morse, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hints
Noun
-
While Harries could have interpreted the move as a nostalgic nod to the tour, more cryptic clues soon followed.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Whether the media was oblivious or purposeful, the clues to Plichta's ideological radicalization were all there.—
Asra Q. Nomani,
FOXNews.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
From there, the glimmers of a more peaceful existence — one fueled by expression, not recklessness — give Lidia hope.—
Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
-
This year, there were glimmers of affordability, with some states like Florida, Texas, and California seeing average home prices decline in 2025 from their peaks.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
26 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Re-wash and dry the garment, using these tips to avoid re-shrinking, to prevent a residue from the conditioner from setting.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Want more home reno project tips and inspiration?—
Timothy Dale,
The Spruce,
15 Jan. 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
-
For example, 10k, 14k, and 18k mean 10-carat, 14-carat, and 18-carat gold, and 925 indicates sterling silver.—
Wendy Rose Gould,
Martha Stewart,
10 Jan. 2026
-
That the decade’s anniversary is considered worth marking indicates that Bowie’s standing remains undiminished, with an end that came only two days after the release of his final album, the masterly Blackstar.—
Alexander Larman,
Time,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
There are indications the situation may grow even more dire.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
6 Jan. 2026
-
The extent of the two dynamics divided FOMC policymakers, with indications that the vote could have gone either way despite the six-vote victory for the cut.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
30 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The rooms Rooms in the Contemporary’s main tower were recently refurbished to feature touches from Disney’s The Incredibles franchise, which reflects the hotel’s midcentury theme.—
Valerie Marino,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Yet these touches are never extreme or imaginative or entertaining enough to match, say, the wild ride that was The Hunting Wives.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Sign up for our free daily newsletter for the latest hacks, expert advice, and more!—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
14 Jan. 2026
-
For more information on what ICE can or can't do at businesses and organizations, as well as advice for employees, click here.—
Jeff Wagner,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hints.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hints. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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