What is the difference between hint and imply?

I'm curious, could you explain the distinction between the words "hint" and "imply"? It seems to me that they are often used interchangeably, but I have a feeling there's a subtle nuance between the two that I'm missing. When someone hints at something, are they being more direct than when they imply it? Or is it the other way around? I'd appreciate your insights on this linguistic question.