1
as in unsure
not feeling sure about the truth, wisdom, or trustworthiness of someone or something
the cop was feeling hinky about the whole situation and was starting to think that it was a setup
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in worried
feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty
after noticing that the driver seemed hinky, the border guard demanded that he submit to an inspection of his vehicle
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hinky
These sorts of trust schemes have been around a long time and are known by a variety of hinky names such as the constitutional equity pure trust or a pure trust organization.
—
Jay Adkisson, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024
Even with such an expansion afoot, odd missteps, hinky plotholes, and confounding questions still abound.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 19 Nov. 2024
These sorts of trust schemes have been around a long time and are known by a variety of hinky names such as the constitutional equity pure trust or a pure trust organization.
—Jay Adkisson, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024
Well, that's the question that some people will ask is: Why didn't someone just throw a hinky vote at someone?
—EW.com, 2 Nov. 2023
Lumber prices have shot up again in a rise reminiscent of a year ago, when high-climbing wood prices warned of the hinky supply lines and broad inflation to come.
—Ryan Dezember, WSJ, 19 Dec. 2021
Some of these outcasts — like the would-be killer of Ronald Reagan, John Hinckley (a hinky looking Adam Chanler-Berat) — are all too familiar.
—Marilyn Stasio, Variety, 14 Nov. 2021
Certainly, there was no shortage of hinky transactions precipitated by the debtors who were intent on protecting their residence as long as possible.
—Jay Adkisson, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2021
The scene at the small, Northeast Hancock Street house was hinky.
—oregonlive, 3 May 2021
Jay Adkisson, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024
Even with such an expansion afoot, odd missteps, hinky plotholes, and confounding questions still abound.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 19 Nov. 2024
These sorts of trust schemes have been around a long time and are known by a variety of hinky names such as the constitutional equity pure trust or a pure trust organization.
—Jay Adkisson, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024
Well, that's the question that some people will ask is: Why didn't someone just throw a hinky vote at someone?
—EW.com, 2 Nov. 2023
Lumber prices have shot up again in a rise reminiscent of a year ago, when high-climbing wood prices warned of the hinky supply lines and broad inflation to come.
—Ryan Dezember, WSJ, 19 Dec. 2021
Some of these outcasts — like the would-be killer of Ronald Reagan, John Hinckley (a hinky looking Adam Chanler-Berat) — are all too familiar.
—Marilyn Stasio, Variety, 14 Nov. 2021
Certainly, there was no shortage of hinky transactions precipitated by the debtors who were intent on protecting their residence as long as possible.
—Jay Adkisson, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2021
The scene at the small, Northeast Hancock Street house was hinky.
—oregonlive, 3 May 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hinky
Adjective
-
Overall, researchers are unsure why diabetes increases the risk of ADHD and other neurodevelopmental conditions.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Approximately 26 percent of individuals surveyed were unsure.—
Filip Timotija,
The Hill,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Others are worried about the fate of the Smithsonian more broadly.—
Deborah Barfield Berry,
USA Today,
20 Apr. 2025
-
At Chang Jiang, Wu had a warning for customers who are worried about their favorite products going away or getting more expensive.—
Allison Cho,
CNN Money,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
What consumers can do is consider an identity theft protection service, which scours social media, the Internet and the dark web for your personal information and alerts you about any suspicious activity.—
Ryley Amond,
CNBC,
18 Apr. 2025
-
This kind of reverse inference is the same logic your bank uses when flagging suspicious activity.—
Christer Holloman,
Forbes.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
At times brutal and always volatile, the album functions as a sort of electro-shock therapy applied from the shoulders down, layering hard beats, ambient whorls, and nervous acid ticks to trigger a state of full-body rapture.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
18 Apr. 2025
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At the same time, sellers might get nervous if deal activity slows down.—
James Nelson,
Forbes.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Some are skeptical given his slight wingspan and arm length and wonder if a move to left guard may eventually be necessary.—
Chad Graff,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Listen, many Gomez fans were skeptical when the singer confirmed her relationship with the prolific music producer back in December 2023.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The Pacers pulled off an upset series win against a then No. 3 seed Bucks in six games last year without Giannis Antetokounmpo.—
Homero De la Fuente,
CNN Money,
13 Apr. 2025
-
Fifty-eight percent of the bets are on Silva to win, while 71 percent of the money is on a Mitchell upset.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The uncertain fate of his best friend impacts Si-eun throughout the season.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
26 Apr. 2025
-
Neutral weather conditions bring uncertain weather risks An ENSO-neutral pattern can bring drier-than-normal weather, or drought conditions could persist in certain regions.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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How to know when your dog is agitated Identifying an anxious or aggressive dog can be tricky, as negative and positive emotional indicators can often be confused.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
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The Fed chief said Wednesday the central bank can be patient while assessing data on inflation and employment, which are its dual mandates, while anxious consumers and businesses eye potentially prolonged economic instability.—
Alexis Simendinger,
The Hill,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hinky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hinky. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
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