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 That acknowledgment was extremely telling, Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo, an Independence Democrat, told reporters. Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 3 Mar. 2024 One of the most telling facts about the decision to go to war in Iraq is the lack of any meeting where such a decision was made. Gideon Rose, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024 But the next week or two will be very telling in terms of McIntyre’s long-term prospects. Blake Oestriecher, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024 But the most telling aspect of the whole game was one few people could see in its entirety. Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 12 Feb. 2024 Perhaps the most telling area in which Russia has adapted and generated a strategic advantage is in its defense-industrial complex. Mick Ryan, Foreign Affairs, 5 Feb. 2024 Perhaps the most telling change of all is one ostensibly small trim. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 18 Jan. 2024 Perhaps the most telling stat of the first half was the 3-point shooting, with the Raptors outscoring the Heat 42-3 from beyond the arc, with Toronto 14 of 22 and the Heat 1 of 16 in the first 24 minutes. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 17 Jan. 2024 The most telling stat may have been farther down the box score. Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'telling.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 19 Mar. 2024.

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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