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
-
So wait for April and May numbers for indications of movement.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Reay is also seeing some indications of an improved South Bay hotel market.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The fixture list offers some clues.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Northrop Grumman’s shares F/A-XX design clues The F/A-XX program calls for a sixth-generation fighter to succeed the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and complement the F-35C Lightning II.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
After starring in 2024’s Deadpool & Wolverine, Marvel fans have been wondering where the character would go next, and in a new interview, Reynolds shared some hints.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
21 Apr. 2026
-
As for the cast, the players can only tease so much about the first campaign so far, but did give hints about their characters’ motivations.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Rooms Toor's 234 rooms and suites take their design cues from the city’s green spaces, translating into muted hues, organic patterns, and warm wood tones that feel both current and calming.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The new VoloXPro takes design cues from Volocopter’s flagship VoloCity electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, but is lighter than its predecessor.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Want to send thoughts or suggestions to Fortune Tech?—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
21 Apr. 2026
-
One of the suggestions was a shade of blonde that Hazelton agreed would work well.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The work demonstrates that mathematical ideas from classical physics can be used to describe weird and ‘spooky’ behavior that is often attributed to quantum particles.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Every Gothic cathedral is the product of ideas that altered over generations, ambitions abandoned or superseded, compromises with ballooning budgets, labor shortages, or bottlenecks in the supply chain from quarries and forests and mines.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inklings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inklings. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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