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

• cogent
• compelling
• conclusive
• convincing
• decisive
• effective
• forceful
• persuasive
• satisfying
• strong

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

Daniel James started the 2019-20 season well enough, but his most telling contribution to United came on the balance sheet. —Carl Anka, New York Times, 16 May 2025

Perhaps the most telling thing about that Maltheen Divide meeting is that few of the officers in the room really bat an eyelid about the impending plans for Ghorman. —Richard Edwards, Space.com, 4 May 2025

The most telling detail in reports like these, though, is the tendency to frame Israel’s main problem as a public-relations issue. —Colin Jones, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2025

One of the most telling indicators of behavioral change emerged unexpectedly. —Pradeep Prasana Kanagaraj, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 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