telling

adjective

tell·​ing ˈte-liŋ 

: carrying great weight and producing a marked effect : effective, expressive

the most telling evidence

tellingly

ˈte-liŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• convincing
• compelling
• conclusive

Choose the Right Synonym for telling

valid, sound, cogent, convincing, telling mean having such force as to compel serious attention and usually acceptance.

valid implies being supported by objective truth or generally accepted authority.

a valid reason for being absent

a valid marriage

sound implies a basis of flawless reasoning or of solid grounds.

a sound proposal for reviving the economy

cogent may stress either weight of sound argument and evidence or lucidity of presentation.

the prosecutor's cogent summation won over the jury

convincing suggests a power to overcome doubt, opposition, or reluctance to accept.

a convincing argument for welfare reform

telling stresses an immediate and crucial effect striking at the heart of a matter.

a telling example of bureaucratic waste

Examples of telling in a Sentence

Her experience is a telling example of why the nation's educational system needs to be changed.

The most telling moment in the case was when the victim took the stand.

Recent Examples on the Web

But, after ten days of barrages by the American and Israeli militaries, the more telling banners made plaintive and prideful statements. —Robin Wright, New Yorker, 23 June 2025

And perhaps even more telling—the company raised its regular dividend, albeit by a penny per share, for the first time in years. —Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025

When peacemakers finally pried apart Slaughter and Dropo, Slaughter had his jersey ripped, but Dropo had taken the more telling punches. —Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2025

The contrast with California couldn’t be more telling. —U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing telling

• I don't mind telling you
• there's no telling
• you're telling me

Rhymes for telling

• belling
• celling
• dwelling
• fehling
• felling
• gelling
• pelling
• quelling
• selling
• shelling
• smelling
• spelling

Kids Definition

telling

adjective

tell·​ing

ˈtel-iŋ

: producing a noticeable effect : effective

the most telling evidence

tellingly

-iŋ-lē

adverb