as in indications
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 inklings
The decision came in mid-March after catching inklings of the shutdown's impacts.
—
Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 6 Apr. 2026
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
Even before the photo, members had inklings their search histories were being monitored by the DOJ, which on Monday began allowing lawmakers to review unredacted versions of the files.
—Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 12 Feb. 2026
Almost 25 years ago, when the Department of Homeland Security was first proposed, there were inklings, even among supporters, that things might someday come to this.
—Ta-Nehisi Coates, Vanity Fair, 26 Jan. 2026
Then Kilmartin defuses any lingering judgmental inklings the audience may retain by warning that many of them will become single parents one day.
—John Roy, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2026
However, researchers had inklings that there were other mechanisms to tone down immune responses, ones outside the thymus.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 6 Oct. 2025
Labor Day is the unofficial wave-off to summer—though not the heat—as kids return back to school, beach days wind down, and the first inklings of a fall breeze begin to blow through the South.
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 25 Aug. 2025
Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 6 Apr. 2026
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
Even before the photo, members had inklings their search histories were being monitored by the DOJ, which on Monday began allowing lawmakers to review unredacted versions of the files.
—Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 12 Feb. 2026
Almost 25 years ago, when the Department of Homeland Security was first proposed, there were inklings, even among supporters, that things might someday come to this.
—Ta-Nehisi Coates, Vanity Fair, 26 Jan. 2026
Then Kilmartin defuses any lingering judgmental inklings the audience may retain by warning that many of them will become single parents one day.
—John Roy, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2026
However, researchers had inklings that there were other mechanisms to tone down immune responses, ones outside the thymus.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 6 Oct. 2025
Labor Day is the unofficial wave-off to summer—though not the heat—as kids return back to school, beach days wind down, and the first inklings of a fall breeze begin to blow through the South.
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 25 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inklings
Noun
-
According to the agency, the EU’s system of geographical indications (GI), which are tags that indicate a product is from a certain region, have played a large part in fostering the imbalance.—
Kate Nishimura,
Footwear News,
1 May 2026
-
Engine vibration and power indications on the center screen reflect flight data recorder data points; other values are estimated based on the phase of flight.—
James Glanz,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
The only clues that date his wanderings arrive in the shape of a mid-century refrigerator, or a certain hairstyle, or a peeling political bumper sticker.—
Hua Hsu,
The Atlantic,
28 Apr. 2026
-
In the weeks before Andrew Lloyd Webber announced the New York staging of his The Phantom of the Opera reboot Masquerade last year, cryptic messages and clues began popping up, not least being the appearance of the masked singer outside the Tony Awards ceremony.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This desire to find connection in loss hints that death can often be more tangible to process than estrangement.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
-
After downplaying the prospect of a new album in recent interviews, Grande began posting hints to the contrary in March, like a flower emoji in her Instagram bio.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The company has taken cues from DeepSeek's approach of delivering high-performing models under financial and technological constraints, according to cofounder and chief scientist Lin Dahua.—
Elaine Yu,
CNBC,
6 May 2026
-
Species that rely on natural light cues are particularly vulnerable.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
GitHub Copilot subscribers will still be able to use simple AI suggestions like code completion and Next Edit without consuming AI credits.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
28 Apr. 2026
-
For years the owner, now 66, has watched tape, done his own player evaluations and sent observations and suggestions to DeCosta, mostly about players who might be available in later rounds — without exerting any actual decision-making power.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In a county that includes 88 cities, all of which have overlapping and sometimes conflicting ideas, there have been few avenues for reaching consensus.—
National Correspondent,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
-
Those are ideas most Americans — especially people who actually spend time outdoors — can still rally behind.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inklings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inklings. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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