as in implying
Related Words
Relevance
as in indicating
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hinting
Lara Walsh, InStyle, 12 Apr. 2026
New York City police stood by their investigation, hinting that the five had been part of the attack along with Reyes, but in 2002 the convictions were vacated.
—Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Apr. 2026
In recent weeks, the Grammy-winning pop star had been cryptically hinting that an album announcement was imminent, including by mysteriously wiping all of the posts from her Instagram account.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
The same sneak peek shows Carmody evading her family's questions about when she will get married, hinting that her long engagement will be a focal point of the series.
—Catherine Messier, The Providence Journal, 31 Mar. 2026
Hospital executives are hinting of a second wave of layoffs as some downsize their operations while the federal government continues to close the funding spigot for health care programs in phases over the next several years.
—Pat Maio, Oc Register, 22 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, wildly popular Korean fragrance label Nonfiction has officially made its way stateside, hinting that K-beauty’s influence may soon extend well beyond skincare and into the perfume aisle.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 16 Mar. 2026
After months of hinting about it, the mayor revealed where a new MLB stadium would be built.
—Lebron Hill, Sacbee.com, 11 Mar. 2026
General manager Dan Morgan told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine that the Panthers wanted to get younger at the backup QB spot, hinting that the end for 38-year-old Andy Dalton in Charlotte could be close.
—Charlotte Observer, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
All three Afflecks wore tennis shoes, hinting that the actor's kids share his love of designer sneakers.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 12 Apr. 2026
New York City police stood by their investigation, hinting that the five had been part of the attack along with Reyes, but in 2002 the convictions were vacated.
—Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Apr. 2026
In recent weeks, the Grammy-winning pop star had been cryptically hinting that an album announcement was imminent, including by mysteriously wiping all of the posts from her Instagram account.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
The same sneak peek shows Carmody evading her family's questions about when she will get married, hinting that her long engagement will be a focal point of the series.
—Catherine Messier, The Providence Journal, 31 Mar. 2026
Hospital executives are hinting of a second wave of layoffs as some downsize their operations while the federal government continues to close the funding spigot for health care programs in phases over the next several years.
—Pat Maio, Oc Register, 22 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, wildly popular Korean fragrance label Nonfiction has officially made its way stateside, hinting that K-beauty’s influence may soon extend well beyond skincare and into the perfume aisle.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 16 Mar. 2026
After months of hinting about it, the mayor revealed where a new MLB stadium would be built.
—Lebron Hill, Sacbee.com, 11 Mar. 2026
General manager Dan Morgan told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine that the Panthers wanted to get younger at the backup QB spot, hinting that the end for 38-year-old Andy Dalton in Charlotte could be close.
—Charlotte Observer, 10 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hinting
Adjective
-
But the headline strikes me as biased, implying justification for this act of terrorism.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
-
And probably should go home this episode instead of the person the Project Runway editors are heavily implying to be the next contestant out.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA) took particular exception to Vietnam being branded with a scarlet letter, indicating that an investigation could lead to higher footwear costs.—
Kate Nishimura,
Footwear News,
1 May 2026
-
Many of the Huayuan fossils look similar, if not identical, to those in the Burgess Shale, indicating that these marine ecosystems were connected by global ocean currents.—
Marlowe Starling,
Quanta Magazine,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
Proofs are littered with suggestive ellipses.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Researchers also found highly suggestive evidence that eating more ultraprocessed foods raised the risk of obesity by 55%, sleep disorders by 41%, development of type 2 diabetes by 40% and the risk of depression by 20%.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
No one is suggesting that there not be lighting for safety, esthetics or safe travel.—
Ernie Cowan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Still, some of the most standout moments at Coachella 2026 seemed almost indifferent to that logic, suggesting that — as music is wont to do — a countercurrent may be bubbling up.—
Andrea Domanick,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Rather than viewing the insinuating and undeniably creepy Gacy as an inherent threat, Macmanus finds the tragedy in the disparate and desperate circumstances amid which Gacy might have represented an illusion of hope.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Oct. 2025
-
In the process, the day-to-day nightmare of Dana’s new reality gets lost, even if the more insinuating discomfort of her present-day reality has been enhanced.—
Daniel Fienberg,
The Hollywood Reporter,
8 Dec. 2022
Adjective
-
Schools now feverishly compete to prepare graduates with simplistic educational remedies driven by competitive branding agendas, providing symbolic curriculum overhauls as recruiting and job-placement signals, regardless of whether such courses share a coherent body of core knowledge.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
This growing reliance on such frameworks underscores the industry’s shift from symbolic commitments toward practical implementation of due diligence and credible sustainability practices.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Sandy Proksa is an expressive arts specialist who worked with at least 10 of the dozens of artists represented in the exhibit, including the two who attended the opening, identified in the gallery only by their first names Mark and Velta.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
1 May 2026
-
The trend reflects a growing desire for fashion that feels expressive and practical.—
Lauren Fisher,
Footwear News,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hinting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hinting. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
