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

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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

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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?

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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

The farm equipment just went up for auction, and the timing couldn’t be more telling. — Bloomberg, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026 In my own opinion, this coincidence is very telling, like a scarlet letter. — Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Verb

This is one of the better games on the slate tonight, despite what the spread is telling us. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026 Hayoun, apologizing for his bloody shirt, within minutes was telling the prime minister and journalists what happened. — Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for telling

Recent Examples of Synonyms for telling

Adjective

But his effort to boost Republicans largely have targeted voters who need the least convincing.

— Cat Zakrzewski, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2026
Balzano expects automotive assembly, warehousing and logistics to provide some of the first convincing financial returns.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of convincing

Verb

Gilroy provided a detailed backstory for the fictional film, describing a young widow, a wealthy East Coast summer setting and a boy preparing to go to war.

— Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 3 Oct. 2026
In 2019, Bolsonaro co-sponsored a bill that would have ended that requirement, describing it as an obstacle to development.

— Gabriela Sá Pessoa, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of describing

Verb

Carmella is also still mad at Vicki for saying that Danny is raising her kids, and Heather is angry after learning that Vicki called her fake in Palm Springs.

— Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026
In 2013 the agency issued a rule saying the exclusion should apply only when an orphan drug is actually used for the rare condition it was designated for.

— John Mildenberger, STAT, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of saying

Verb

There’s a slapstick nature to that place where there’s just stuff, and all the stuff is informing this great desire to just try things.

— Christine Werthman, Billboard, 5 Oct. 2026
These innovations point towards a future where transformers assist patients in informing them of risks with different types of medications.

— Esha Desai, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of informing

Verb

Lecornu gathered law enforcement officials and government ministers for the emergency meeting, instructing his minister to cancel planned trips until the crisis is sufficiently addressed.

— Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026
The city is also instructing developers to design 15% of the units for artist affordable housing.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of instructing

Verb

Another manager was found to work from both Alabama and Tennessee without disclosing that information to the Controller’s Office, according to the audit report.

— Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026
The show starts in the year 1985, when Henki Hauge Karlsen, a 28-year-old gay bartender, is fired after disclosing that he is infected with HIV.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of disclosing

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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 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of telling

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