as in convincing
having the power to persuade
presented us with telling evidence that convinced us he was right
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in describing
to give an oral or written account of in some detail
they told the story of how they had met
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in saying
to express (a thought or emotion) in words
just tell us what is in your heart
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in counting
to find the sum of (a collection of things) by noting each one as it is being added
who can tell the number of grains of sand in the world?
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in informing
to give information to
tell me, when did you begin playing the violin?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in instructing
to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority
told us to sit still and wait
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in disclosing
to make known (as information previously kept secret)
I won't tell your secret to anyone
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of telling
Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 7 Dec. 2025
This episode’s most telling revelation is that Nile owes the Ingrams something.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025
Martha Bebinger, NPR, 9 Jan. 2026
Two more federal officers pull up, get out of their car and approach Good, telling her to get out.
—Frank Matt, NBC news, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for telling
Adjective
The Pats rank near the bottom of the league by rushing success rate, yards per carry, EPA, DVOA, all of the most telling metrics.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 7 Dec. 2025
This episode’s most telling revelation is that Nile owes the Ingrams something.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025
Verb
MacDonald had received a letter from MGB, telling her no primary care providers in the network were currently taking new patients for in-person care.
—Martha Bebinger, NPR, 9 Jan. 2026
Two more federal officers pull up, get out of their car and approach Good, telling her to get out.
—Frank Matt, NBC news, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for telling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for telling
Adjective
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The Gators found their offensive flow and applied the defensive clamps against the high-scoring Bulldogs during a convincing and pivotal 92-77 win Tuesday night at the O’Connell Center.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Jan. 2026
-
After pulling away in the second half, Old Rochester continued building league momentum with a convincing 54-32 victory.—
Zach McMahon,
Boston Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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After describing the facts of the case, Colbert later sat down with discuss the situation with MS NOW host Chris Hayes.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
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But video footage of the encounter, posted online and verified by The New York Times and other outlets, raises questions about how federal officials are describing the incident.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Reyes defended the compensation, saying it was negotiated in good faith.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
But Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and other officials disputed the DHS claims, saying videos showed the woman driving away from agents, not aiming at them.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Hagan said during a recent webinar for a large state restaurant association, many proprietors were surprised to learn they weren’t supposed to be counting service fees as tips.—
Cheryl Winokur Munk,
CNBC,
8 Nov. 2025
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At the heart of the system is advanced AI that goes far beyond simply counting reps or tracking time.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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New speed limit signs are expected to go up in the beginning of February, and FWC officers assigned to the area will begin enforcement by first informing boaters that the rules have changed, the city said in a news release.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
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As for the rental’s neighbors, the regulations, if approved, also stipulate that a short-term rental’s owner send a letter by mail to adjoining property owners informing them that the residence has been approved as a short-term rental at least one week before the first rental in a calendar year.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Issue guidance instructing pharmacists and other health care providers to encourage COVID-19 vaccines, as well as to prescribe and administer them.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
27 Oct. 2025
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Goya’s print with this quote originally features a master donkey, seemingly instructing a disciple.—
Mario Rodriguez,
Miami Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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With broad language about protecting members of the firing squad, Bresnahan said the state could argue for not disclosing training methods, qualifications and any safeguards.—
Alexandra Kukulka,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
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The company announced the funding round on its website, disclosing a list of strategic investors that include NVIDIA and Cisco, as well as sovereign wealth funds from Abu Dhabi and Qatar, Valor Equity Partners, Stepstone Group, Fidelity, and Baron Capital Group.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
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Their work, published in Nano-Micro Letters, presents a compelling strategy for bridging laboratory materials innovation and real-world battery deployment.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Telling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/telling. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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