TELLING Synonyms: 281 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'telling' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of telling are cogent , convincing , sound , and valid . While all these words mean "having such force as to compel serious attention and usually acceptance," telling stresses an immediate and crucial effect striking at the heart of a matter. // a telling example of bureaucratic waste

Q: When would 'cogent' be a good substitute for 'telling'?

Although the words cogent and telling have much in common, cogent may stress either weight of sound argument and evidence or lucidity of presentation. // the prosecutor's cogent summation won over the jury

Q: When is it sensible to use 'convincing' instead of 'telling'?

The synonyms convincing and telling are sometimes interchangeable, but convincing suggests a power to overcome doubt, opposition, or reluctance to accept. // a convincing argument for welfare reform

Q: When is 'sound' a more appropriate choice than 'telling'?

The words sound and telling can be used in similar contexts, but sound implies a basis of flawless reasoning or of solid grounds. // a sound proposal for reviving the economy

Q: Where would 'valid' be a reasonable alternative to 'telling'?

While the synonyms valid and telling are close in meaning, valid implies being supported by objective truth or generally accepted authority. // a valid reason for being absent // a valid marriage

telling 1 of 2

adjective

ˈte-liŋ

Definition of telling next

as in convincing

having the power to persuade presented us with telling evidence that convinced us he was right

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

telling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of tell

as in describing

to give an oral or written account of in some detail they told the story of how they had met

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as in saying

to express (a thought or emotion) in words just tell us what is in your heart

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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?

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as in informing

to give information to tell me, when did you begin playing the violin?

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as in instructing

to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority told us to sit still and wait

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as in disclosing

to make known (as information previously kept secret) I won't tell your secret to anyone

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word telling different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of telling are cogent, convincing, sound, and valid. While all these words mean "having such force as to compel serious attention and usually acceptance," telling stresses an immediate and crucial effect striking at the heart of a matter.

a telling example of bureaucratic waste

When would cogent be a good substitute for telling?

Although the words cogent and telling have much in common, cogent may stress either weight of sound argument and evidence or lucidity of presentation.

the prosecutor's cogent summation won over the jury

When is it sensible to use convincing instead of telling?

The synonyms convincing and telling are sometimes interchangeable, but convincing suggests a power to overcome doubt, opposition, or reluctance to accept.

a convincing argument for welfare reform

When is sound a more appropriate choice than telling?

The words sound and telling can be used in similar contexts, but sound implies a basis of flawless reasoning or of solid grounds.

a sound proposal for reviving the economy

Where would valid be a reasonable alternative to telling?

While the synonyms valid and telling are close in meaning, valid implies being supported by objective truth or generally accepted authority.

a valid reason for being absent

a valid marriage

Examples of telling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Perhaps the most telling thing about the Shootout was how quickly the judges could evaluate the Mini LEDs compared to the OLEDs — the OLEDs took vastly more time because the fine differences were ultimately so hard to see. —

Nilay Patel, The Verge, 16 Aug. 2024 Checking rate of increase: Early on in pregnancy, the rate of increase is more telling than the actual quantity of the hormone in the blood. —

Rachel Gurevich, Parents, 30 July 2024 But in the Midwest, the most telling trends are evident in nighttime temperatures. —

Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2024 Movement on the site itself — at W. 145th St. and Malcolm X Blvd. — is perhaps the most telling indicator of all. —

Téa Kvetenadze, New York Daily News, 28 Jan. 2024 See all Example Sentences for telling

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'telling.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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“Telling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/telling. Accessed 17 Sep. 2024.

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Last Updated: 13 Sep 2024 - Updated example sentences

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Synonyms of telling

adjective

verb

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Examples of telling in a Sentence

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