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
Constance Grady, Vox, 25 Apr. 2025
But perhaps the most telling mark of his leadership is how others talk about him.
—Iese Business School, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
Rachel Aviv, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
Unfortunately, many in the United States may even question whether CENTCOM is telling the truth.
—Peter Suciu, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for telling
Adjective
One of the most telling aspects of Noem’s makeover was also one of the most infamous.
—Constance Grady, Vox, 25 Apr. 2025
But perhaps the most telling mark of his leadership is how others talk about him.
—Iese Business School, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
Verb
When her mother returned to Clinton, Andrea never considered telling her what had happened.
—Rachel Aviv, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
Unfortunately, many in the United States may even question whether CENTCOM is telling the truth.
—Peter Suciu, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for telling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for telling
Adjective
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Hallucinations, when models generate convincing but false information, can mislead decision-making and create legal exposure.—
Shane Buckley,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
-
Why the latest PayPal phishing scam is so convincing Most phishing scams try (and fail) to impersonate big companies.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
28 June 2025
Verb
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While that excitement still defines the event, the phrase may work better today describing the frenzy of fans trying to get to the actual games.—
DeMarco Williams,
Forbes,
14 Mar. 2025
-
But that’s too pat a way of describing something so slippery and alive.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Agency employees received an email this week informing them that they are placed on administrative leave, until further notice.—
Greta Cross,
USA TODAY,
15 Mar. 2025
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Copyright in particular is an issue that has plagued AI developers, as many continue to train their models on human work without informing the original creators, obtaining consent or providing compensation.—
Angela Yang,
NBC News,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The next year, Martin was accused of instructing staffers to regularly delete their emails to prevent them from becoming available to the media or public under the state’s Sunshine Law.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2025
-
Whitfield doubles down on his previous orders, instructing the former sheepherder to murder all the Duttons and dump their bodies in the lawless border town.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
30 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Major fund managers, like BlackRock, became actively engaged in the debate, influencing companies to start disclosing information and actions relating to an array of sustainability issues.—
Jon McGowan,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
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Rosenberg, along with her relatives, did not file Reports of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBARS) disclosing their offshore financial accounts, as required by law.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
In a category full of compelling options, this is arguably the most compelling choice.—
Karl Brauer,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
While summer nail color trends tend to be bright and sunny, with shades like swimming pool blue, cherry red, and butter yellow playing a starring role in a manicurist's palette, Robbie does make a compelling case for swapping your fresh white or jelly pink for an unexpected, gothy color.—
Allure,
Allure,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
Create Polls and Ask Questions Polls get people talking, and LinkedIn’s algorithm rewards it.—
William Arruda,
Forbes,
3 Jan. 2025
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Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more!—
Leonard David,
Space.com,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Palace put a message out on their social media page advising the issue had been fixed around 35 minutes after tickets went on sale.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2025
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Despite this being the lowest classification, health officials are still advising consumers to take precautions.—
Rachel Flynn,
People.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Telling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/telling. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.
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