as in indicative
indicating something
I know you've been eating chocolate because of the telltale smudges on your face
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in gossiper
a person who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts about others
the media's professional telltales have basically decided that today's celebrities have no right to privacy
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in informant
a person who provides information about another's wrongdoing
the department telltale told the boss that his coworkers were taking extra long breaks
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of telltale
Philipp Wehsack, Vogue, 30 Jan. 2025
After two months, there was an average 45% increase in new eyelash growth without the telltale darkening of skin and eye color that often comes with PGA formulas.
—Arden Fanning Andrews, Vogue, 17 Jan. 2025
Tents selling fireworks all over the county are opening and the telltale pops, booms and bangs can be heard far and wide leading up to Independence Day.
—Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 22 June 2024
The only telltale is the small 350e badge on the back.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2024
The thief slowly turns the dial, listening for the telltale clicks or resistance that might hint at the inner workings of the safe's gears and reveal its combination.
—Andy Greenberg, WIRED, 21 June 2020
Photo: Courtesy of Neon Spectators at the crash scene in 1957 reported hearing the telltale hiss of a tire blowing out.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 22 Jan. 2024
The initial telltale symptom of the plague is an extremely swollen lymph node, according to Adalja.
—Melissa Rudy, Fox News, 16 Feb. 2024
And in the following days, astronomers saw the telltale reddening of a kilonova in the same spot as the gamma-ray burst.
—Quanta Magazine, 13 Dec. 2023
Noun
Check for telltale thinning at the crown and temples; broken, frizzy bits at ear and chin level; as well as shorter strands at the nape of the neck that look shredded or wispy.
—Philipp Wehsack, Vogue, 30 Jan. 2025
After two months, there was an average 45% increase in new eyelash growth without the telltale darkening of skin and eye color that often comes with PGA formulas.
—Arden Fanning Andrews, Vogue, 17 Jan. 2025
Tents selling fireworks all over the county are opening and the telltale pops, booms and bangs can be heard far and wide leading up to Independence Day.
—Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 22 June 2024
The only telltale is the small 350e badge on the back.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2024
The thief slowly turns the dial, listening for the telltale clicks or resistance that might hint at the inner workings of the safe's gears and reveal its combination.
—Andy Greenberg, WIRED, 21 June 2020
Photo: Courtesy of Neon Spectators at the crash scene in 1957 reported hearing the telltale hiss of a tire blowing out.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 22 Jan. 2024
The initial telltale symptom of the plague is an extremely swollen lymph node, according to Adalja.
—Melissa Rudy, Fox News, 16 Feb. 2024
And in the following days, astronomers saw the telltale reddening of a kilonova in the same spot as the gamma-ray burst.
—Quanta Magazine, 13 Dec. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for telltale
Adjective
-
Low early approval ratings are indicative of midterm losses for the president's party.—
Khaleda Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 May 2025
-
Experts say the outbreaks of vaccine-preventable illnesses, like measles and whooping cough, could be indicative of changing attitudes toward vaccines.—
Alix Martichoux,
The Hill,
6 May 2025
Noun
-
Instead, top administration officials have claimed Abrego Garcia is a member of the gang MS-13, citing allegations from a confidential informant.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
7 May 2025
-
In May 2002, investigators announced plans to search a Sauk County property where an informant said her body was buried.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
6 May 2025
Adjective
-
Our testers only saw the price after testing to determine whether the price was reflective of the potting bench’s value and features.—
Megan Newton,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 May 2025
-
The Game actress shared a reflective message about her daughter’s growth leading up to Cairo’s birthday.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
7 May 2025
Noun
-
Note to Leaders: Put a moratorium on secrets, myths, and gossip.—
Chip Bell,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
-
Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors Maeve extends an olive branch in this week's episode of MobLand, which arrives on Paramount+ this Sunday, May 18.—
Billie Melissa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 May 2025
Noun
-
Singh says that the Kashmir policy of India's Hindu nationalist government has alienated residents of Kashmir, and cost the Indian army its vital network of local informers.—
Omkar Khandekar,
NPR,
23 Apr. 2025
-
The book’s cast of characters is immense, including spies and informers, dubious bankers, Mafiosos, terrorists, radical priests who support the poor, and conservatives who back right-wing dictators.—
Foreign Affairs,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
But Sysco’s revised forecast could be the canary in the kitchen.—
Catherine Baab,
Quartz,
29 Apr. 2025
-
America’s small businesses could be the canaries in the coal mine.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Also, humans consume red dye No. 3 at levels far lower than those shown to cause cancer in two studies of rats, according to the FDA.—
Jasmine Mendez,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2025
-
The sci-fi series has given us everything from mutant super-soldiers to all-out war between a farmer and an army of rats.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Telltale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/telltale. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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