telling

adjective tell·ing \ ˈte-liŋ \

|Updated on: 16 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: telling in a Sentence

Definition of telling

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

the most telling evidence

—

tellingly

play \ˈte-liŋ-lē\ adverb

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See telling defined for kids

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 of telling from the Web

There's a telling moment in the documentary toward its end.

— joe lynch, Billboard, "Erykah Badu Reads Message From Reclusive Funk Icon Betty Davis at Documentary Screening," 24 May 2018
The most telling moment in the California gubernatorial debate came in response to a question that had nothing to do with politics.

— joe garofoli, San Francisco Chronicle, "What have they sacrificed? Most California candidates fumble the question," 9 May 2018
Perhaps the most telling result from all this data: 69 percent of Americans would prefer to receive chocolate over flowers for a Valentine’s Day gift.

— matt campbell, kansascity, "There's a new winner in favorite Valentine's Day candy sales | The Kansas City Star," 26 Jan. 2018
One of the most telling features of Trump's presidency is the silence of his fellow Republicans.

— aaron blake, Washington Post, "‘A confidential informant is not a spy’: Lindsey Graham undercuts his ally Trump," 25 May 2018
Throwing off the mound is considered the most crucial and telling step in the process.

— kevin acee, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Padres notes: Kirby Yates needs time, so does Dinelson Lamet," 10 Apr. 2018
Bismarck’s burgeoning craft-brewery business is one of the most telling signs of the city’s renaissance.

— lisa davis, chicagotribune.com, "Bismarck beckons with revitalized downtown, new breweries — and butterhorns," 14 May 2018
Not Quite Cleared for Takeoff The most telling exchange between Elwell and Uber’s Holden came when an audience member asked how air traffic controller might handle an exponential increase in flying machines.

— jack stewart, WIRED, "Uber's Flying Car Plan Meets the Regulator It Can't Ignore," 12 May 2018
The most telling stat: Toluca allowed just 13 goals in 17 regular-season games.

— mark zeigler, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Xolos face top-seeded Toluca in Liga MX semis," 9 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'telling.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of telling

1819

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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telling Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of 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.