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 perhaps the most telling mark of his leadership is how others talk about him. —Iese Business School, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025

Provided Maye’s command of the system continues to strengthen, the most telling part of his Year 2 growth will be his accuracy to the intermediate and deep areas of the field. —Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 9 June 2025

While Edmonton and Florida are technically favored to advance, the overall futures odds are barely more telling than a shrug emoji. —Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 19 May 2025

But the most telling indicator that Kromer’s vision is not a 2,000-year-old biography but something fresh and vibrant is the nature of the casting itself: A rainbow of races, sexualities and gender identities that defiantly proclaims Jesus came to Earth for everyone. —Matthew J. Palm, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 June 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