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

as in convincing

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

as in informing

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of telling

Adjective

The most telling difference, though, comes from the decisions of Turner and the other young extension candidates. — Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 9 June 2026 The most telling detail about the vintage Heuer Monaco leading Sotheby’s Important Watches Auction in New York on June 15 speaks to the watch’s indisputable authenticity. — Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 1 June 2026

Verb

When an overwhelming number of buyers flood the stock with demand around meaningful reports, the market is telling us something. — Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026 The key is for all of us who work on these movies together is to really focus on telling a story about Peter Parker, not telling and not telling a story about the end of the world or things that none of us can really relate to. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for telling

Recent Examples of Synonyms for telling

Adjective

Cyber criminals are using highly convincing counterfeit audio, video, and identity fabrications as tools in ways that conventional detection methods will fail to identify.

— Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
All this serves as convincing evidence that the infrared light signal upconverted this way can reach the visual system.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026

Definition of convincing

Verb

The framework's own repository is blunt about its limits, describing its controls as defense-in-depth rather than true containment.

— Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Fuldauer said the insurance industry needs to become a resilience partner for society, describing public-private partnerships as key to success in this area.

— Sam Meredith, CNBC, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of describing

Verb

That contradicts what many publishers have been saying, though most publishers are of course wary of sharing too many proprietary numbers publicly.

— Samuel Axon, ArsTechnica, 1 Aug. 2026
After county planning officials issued a report stating construction wouldn’t impact the environment, Fish and Game countered, saying the report wasn’t thorough, and a qualified biologist will have to survey the site.

— Bay City News, Mercury News, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of saying

Verb

The usual advice is to stop counting, as though the tally were a character flaw to be willed away.

— Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Schwarber signed with Philadelphia on a four-year, $79 million deal and has since gone on to hit 220 home runs and counting over five seasons with the Phillies.

— Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of counting

Verb

Buc-ee's claimed that the unauthorized use of its trademarks, including a smiling animal mascot, were benefitting the Missouri convenience store at Buc-ee's expense, while falsely informing consumers that the two businesses are related.

— Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026
Yet on July 22, as federal firefighters were on high alert as dozens of wildfires were spreading across multiple states, Schulz sent an email to Forest Service staff informing them that the reorganization would begin that week.

— Chiara Eisner, NPR, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of informing

Verb

Her job meant overseeing aircrew readiness, training and flight operations while instructing boom operators on air refueling procedures, the Air Force said.

— Chris Kenning, USA Today, 26 July 2026
Evacuation orders were sent with special alerts to mobile phones, instructing people to leave, Gironde prefect Sophie Brocas said.

— Mark Carlson, Fortune, 25 July 2026

Definition of instructing

Verb

Reuters could not immediately independently verify the information, but a spokesman for the Times said Cole is disclosing the subpoena.

— Ernest Scheyder, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2026
In addition to Kohberger not disclosing his motive for the murders, prosecutors have also been unable to find evidence to suggest a particular reason for the killings.

— Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026

Definition of disclosing

Adjective

The main event between top babyfaces Rhodes and Punk, while a compelling narrative, highlighted a repetitive formula of popular heroes clashing for world titles.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
While a league title may still represent a step too far, there is a compelling case that the Blues have a chance in the domestic cup competitions as Alonso begins building his new side.

— Graham Ruthven, New York Times, 31 July 2026

Definition of compelling

Browse Nearby Words

tellies

telling

telling (of)

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“Telling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/telling. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of telling

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