telling

adjective

tell·​ing ˈte-liŋ How to pronounce telling (audio)
: carrying great weight and producing a marked effect : effective, expressive
the most telling evidence
tellingly adverb
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
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.
As for why lying-down blood pressure may be more telling than sitting pressure, researchers only have hypotheses. Ars Technica, 24 Jan. 2025 The most telling evidence comes in the form of ingredient shortages and price spikes. Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 24 Jan. 2025 New Orleans is currently No. 13 in the overall conference placement for the playoffs, and being that far behind with only four games left is a telling sign that the team will not make it. Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024 But perhaps the most telling sign of TMS's legitimacy is the shifting insurance landscape. Megan Bruneau, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for telling 

Word History

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of telling was in 1819

Dictionary Entries Near telling

Cite this Entry

“Telling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/telling. Accessed 5 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

telling

adjective
tell·​ing
ˈtel-iŋ
: producing a noticeable effect : effective
the most telling evidence
tellingly
-iŋ-lē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on telling

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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