The best replacement for hint is clue.

The best alternatives to hint are rated as following:
★★★★★  clue
★★★★★  tip
★★★★  ez3kiel
★★★  suggest
★★★  indirect suggestion
★★  hola
★★  cue
★★  suggestion
★★  ezekiel
★  signal
★  banter
★  suspicion
★  lg banter
★  samsung finesse
  old wives tale

Your alternative for hint is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about hint, one probably shouldn't forget about nologging.

Other search terms related to hint and their ratings are:
★★★★★ nologging
★★★ merge statement
★★ index sql server
You have in mind a companion for hint and it is not yet here? Propose!



Google Trends

Scale is based on the average worldwide traffic of hint in all years. Click on graph for more.
hint
clue
tip