telling

adjective

tell·​ing ˈte-liŋ 

: carrying great weight and producing a marked effect : effective, expressive

the most telling evidence

tellingly

ˈte-liŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• cogent
• compelling
• conclusive
• convincing
• decisive
• effective
• forceful
• persuasive
• satisfying
• strong

Choose the Right Synonym for telling

valid, sound, cogent, convincing, telling mean having such force as to compel serious attention and usually acceptance.

valid implies being supported by objective truth or generally accepted authority.

a valid reason for being absent

a valid marriage

sound implies a basis of flawless reasoning or of solid grounds.

a sound proposal for reviving the economy

cogent may stress either weight of sound argument and evidence or lucidity of presentation.

the prosecutor's cogent summation won over the jury

convincing suggests a power to overcome doubt, opposition, or reluctance to accept.

a convincing argument for welfare reform

telling stresses an immediate and crucial effect striking at the heart of a matter.

a telling example of bureaucratic waste

Examples of telling in a Sentence

Her experience is a telling example of why the nation's educational system needs to be changed.

The most telling moment in the case was when the victim took the stand.

Recent Examples on the Web

But the most telling indicator that Kromer’s vision is not a 2,000-year-old biography but something fresh and vibrant is the nature of the casting itself: A rainbow of races, sexualities and gender identities that defiantly proclaims Jesus came to Earth for everyone. —Matthew J. Palm, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 June 2025

One of the most telling indicators of student disengagement is the alarmingly high rate of chronic absenteeism in many schools. —Linda Darling-Hammond, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025

The most telling way to measure Timber’s impact is that, even when White returned from injury in February, Arteta stuck with the Dutchman until he was lost to the ankle problem that kept him out for the final month of the season. —Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 28 May 2025

But the reaction to the firings, and Caldwell's immediate conduct afterward, are highly telling. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing telling

• I don't mind telling you
• there's no telling
• you're telling me

Rhymes for telling

• belling
• celling
• dwelling
• fehling
• felling
• gelling
• pelling
• quelling
• selling
• shelling
• smelling
• spelling

Kids Definition

telling

adjective

tell·​ing

ˈtel-iŋ

: producing a noticeable effect : effective

the most telling evidence

tellingly

-iŋ-lē

adverb