as in indication
a slight or indirect pointing to something (as a solution or explanation)
did not give the slightest inkling that he was planning to quit
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Recent Examples of inkling
Although theorists already had inklings that a magnetar’s tempestuous birth might help explain superluminous supernovae, clinching the case proved difficult.
—
Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 11 Mar. 2026
As inklings of Hudson Williams‘ potential Saturday Night Live cameo percolated in the days leading up to his Heated Rivalry co-star Connor Storrie‘s debut hosting gig, the Canadian actor glided onto Studio 8H ice during a sketch.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 28 Feb. 2026
Here's a woman with no formal education, who spent her whole life working various jobs and living in poverty, who had an innate inkling for hybrid texts.
—Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 23 Feb. 2026
The first inkling of the government questioning the DHS account came from the US Department of Justice.
—Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inkling
Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 11 Mar. 2026
As inklings of Hudson Williams‘ potential Saturday Night Live cameo percolated in the days leading up to his Heated Rivalry co-star Connor Storrie‘s debut hosting gig, the Canadian actor glided onto Studio 8H ice during a sketch.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 28 Feb. 2026
Here's a woman with no formal education, who spent her whole life working various jobs and living in poverty, who had an innate inkling for hybrid texts.
—Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 23 Feb. 2026
The first inkling of the government questioning the DHS account came from the US Department of Justice.
—Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inkling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inkling
Noun
-
If the first two rounds are any indication, Rose’s moment might need to wait another year.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2026
-
If the red carpet was any indication, nobody is quite ready to say goodbye.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But a new, experimental blood test developed by researchers at Duke Health and the University of Minnesota might someday provide empirical clues — at least in the sense of short-term survival.—
Scott Lafee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
-
If there’s an organic smell, there’s a clue.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Ives inserts hints of Ludwig van Beethoven’s 5th Symphony in the meditative work, and at other times seems to conjure up church bells through the piano.—
Sheila Regan,
Twin Cities,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The following are gluten-free and spiced with a hint of cinnamon.—
Kelly Brant,
Arkansas Online,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The next-gen suites are configured in a reverse-herringbone set-up, so the outer rows can face the windows, and also offer up a tactile seat control center that takes design cues from the automotive world for easier adjustments onboard.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
13 Apr. 2026
-
The molten pattern takes its cue from the shell of the hawksbill sea turtle—a design first seen in the decor of ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt.—
Kara Jillian Brown,
InStyle,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
His suggestion is to fence it off, preventing the hogs from coming into the neighborhood.—
Briseida Holguin,
CBS News,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Most of them sound like throwaways from a brainstorming session, or worse… ChatGPT suggestions.—
Ile-Ife Okantah,
Vulture,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inkling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inkling. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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