as in convincing
having the power to persuade
presented us with telling evidence that convinced us he was right
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
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
2
as in saying
to express (a thought or emotion) in words
just tell us what is in your heart
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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?
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in informing
to give information to
tell me, when did you begin playing the violin?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in instructing
to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority
told us to sit still and wait
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in disclosing
to make known (as information previously kept secret)
I won't tell your secret to anyone
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of telling
Lindsey Darvin, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Again, the lack of criminal prep work is very telling.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 28 Mar. 2025
Rachel Aviv, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
Unfortunately, many in the United States may even question whether CENTCOM is telling the truth.
—Peter Suciu, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for telling
Adjective
Perhaps an even more telling signal about where women’s sports are headed comes from who's putting their money behind these ventures.
—Lindsey Darvin, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Again, the lack of criminal prep work is very telling.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
When her mother returned to Clinton, Andrea never considered telling her what had happened.
—Rachel Aviv, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
Unfortunately, many in the United States may even question whether CENTCOM is telling the truth.
—Peter Suciu, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for telling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for telling
Adjective
-
The trends within the trend make an even more convincing case for a comeback, with lactose-free and whole milk consumption up by a respective 12.3% and 3.6%, and a whopping 17.6% surge in the sale of raw milk.—
HubSpot,
HubSpot,
2 May 2025
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Both Lennox and Sarah Lind, as Alex’s wife, Sam, are serious and convincing, and the musician David Yow, as an oddball private detective following in Alex’s wake, gives the movie some idiosyncratic flair.—
Calum Marsh,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
Verb
-
While that excitement still defines the event, the phrase may work better today describing the frenzy of fans trying to get to the actual games.—
DeMarco Williams,
Forbes,
14 Mar. 2025
-
But that’s too pat a way of describing something so slippery and alive.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Agency employees received an email this week informing them that they are placed on administrative leave, until further notice.—
Greta Cross,
USA TODAY,
15 Mar. 2025
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Copyright in particular is an issue that has plagued AI developers, as many continue to train their models on human work without informing the original creators, obtaining consent or providing compensation.—
Angela Yang,
NBC News,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The next year, Martin was accused of instructing staffers to regularly delete their emails to prevent them from becoming available to the media or public under the state’s Sunshine Law.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2025
-
Whitfield doubles down on his previous orders, instructing the former sheepherder to murder all the Duttons and dump their bodies in the lawless border town.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
30 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Major fund managers, like BlackRock, became actively engaged in the debate, influencing companies to start disclosing information and actions relating to an array of sustainability issues.—
Jon McGowan,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
-
Rosenberg, along with her relatives, did not file Reports of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBARS) disclosing their offshore financial accounts, as required by law.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
14 May 2025
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Major gift programs in particular rely on an executive director or CEO communicating a compelling vision for the future in one-to-one and small group settings.—
Victoria Burkhart,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
Verb
-
Create Polls and Ask Questions Polls get people talking, and LinkedIn’s algorithm rewards it.—
William Arruda,
Forbes,
3 Jan. 2025
-
Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more!—
Leonard David,
Space.com,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Palace put a message out on their social media page advising the issue had been fixed around 35 minutes after tickets went on sale.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2025
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Despite this being the lowest classification, health officials are still advising consumers to take precautions.—
Rachel Flynn,
People.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Telling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/telling. Accessed 18 May. 2025.
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