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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in instructing

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in disclosing

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

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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

How Emma Chamberlain Shocked Even Herself Perhaps the most telling detail from Chamberlain’s press tour is just how much the experience caught her off guard. —

Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026 But the more telling tip of the hat is a couple of covers of songs associated with Waylon Jennings, the father of the album’s producer. —

Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Pitchfork, 6 Apr. 2026

Verb

One of the big challenges for Washington, the rest of the cast, and Tarantino himself was telling their story in a way that would be true to the most shameful part of America’s history while also delivering the goods as an audience-pleasing action film — not an easy needle to thread. —

Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 2 June 2026 Meanwhile, Ella Bleu, who plays Doris, a flight attendant, paid tribute to her parents at the movie's New York City premiere, telling PEOPLE that both of her parents had always been supportive of her decision to follow them into the entertainment industry. —

Adam England, PEOPLE, 2 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for telling

Recent Examples of Synonyms for telling

Adjective

For years, researchers suspected that a similar predator was responsible for the fossil fragments, but lacked a convincing candidate.

— Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 4 June 2026
My next cheese experience was a variation both comical and convincing.

— Byron W. Dalrymple, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2026

Definition of convincing

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tellies

telling

telling (of)

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“Telling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/telling. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.

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Synonyms of telling

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