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
The 14-track project tells the entire story of the split in chronological order, from the first inklings of cheating, to an unwanted open relationship, and into the post-breakup blues.
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Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
Courtland Sutton had an inkling of what was coming when Sean Payton summoned him late in the week.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 21 Oct. 2025
The brothers were surprised by the reaction to Barb’s death given she only had 25 lines in the whole series, though some executives at Netflix had an inkling of what was coming.
—Eliana Dockterman, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
The kooks of that age believed that Iran-Contra was only just an inkling of the secret government behind the scenes that was preparing to herd Americans into prison camps.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inkling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inkling
Noun
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Minneapolis’ police chief, Brian O’Hara, briefly described the shooting to reporters but gave no indication that the driver was trying to harm anyone.—
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There is no indication the protests were organized by a single group.—
Noun
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Here’s everything to know about the clues fans believe point to new music.—
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Whether the media was oblivious or purposeful, the clues to Plichta's ideological radicalization were all there.—
Noun
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After you’re done cleaning up the kitchen or tackling tough stains around the house, a simple wash with oxygen bleach or a hint of chlorine bleach can make white towels look new again.—
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The mix of spices held a hint of spiciness, but still pretty flavorful and wasn’t overwhelming.—
Noun
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If the new year has inspired a change of wardrobe, look no further than celebs like Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Lawrence, and Anne Hathaway for a cue on the shoes worth buying to take you through 2026.—
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To improve listening comprehension, cue up music in a foreign language and view the lyrics using Apple Music or Spotify.—
Noun
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Have a suggestion for a future story?—
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Other more outlandish suggestions have included Nicola Mendelsohn, the head of Meta’s global business group and a doyen of British business, and Tristram Hunt, a former broadcast journalist and Labour Party politician who now runs the Victoria & Albert Museum.—
Cite this Entry
“Inkling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inkling. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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