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
-
All indications point to a Sunday afternoon shootout.—
Stan Awtrey,
AJC.com,
26 Apr. 2026
-
According to the report, abnormal radio altimeter alerts and unexpected flight director indications increased the flight crew's workload, continuing to distract them during the aircraft's initial climb.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 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
-
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
-
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
-
House Speaker Daniel Perez, a Republican but not a DeSantis ally, spiked both ideas.—
Bill Barrow,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Infantino’s ideas and antics have frequently drawn resistance from some European federations and even the continent’s confederation, UEFA.—
Henry Bushnell,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inklings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inklings. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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