TELLING Synonyms: 281 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'telling' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of telling are cogent , convincing , sound , and valid . While all these words mean "having such force as to compel serious attention and usually acceptance," telling stresses an immediate and crucial effect striking at the heart of a matter. // a telling example of bureaucratic waste

Q: When would 'cogent' be a good substitute for 'telling'?

Although the words cogent and telling have much in common, cogent may stress either weight of sound argument and evidence or lucidity of presentation. // the prosecutor's cogent summation won over the jury

Q: When is it sensible to use 'convincing' instead of 'telling'?

The synonyms convincing and telling are sometimes interchangeable, but convincing suggests a power to overcome doubt, opposition, or reluctance to accept. // a convincing argument for welfare reform

Q: When is 'sound' a more appropriate choice than 'telling'?

The words sound and telling can be used in similar contexts, but sound implies a basis of flawless reasoning or of solid grounds. // a sound proposal for reviving the economy

Q: Where would 'valid' be a reasonable alternative to 'telling'?

While the synonyms valid and telling are close in meaning, valid implies being supported by objective truth or generally accepted authority. // a valid reason for being absent // a valid marriage

telling 1 of 2

adjective

ˈte-liŋ

Definition of telling

as in convincing

having the power to persuade presented us with telling evidence that convinced us he was right

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

telling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of tell

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

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

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

as in informing

to give information to tell me, when did you begin playing the violin?

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

as in disclosing

to make known (as information previously kept secret) I won't tell your secret to anyone

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word telling different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of telling are cogent, convincing, sound, and valid. While all these words mean "having such force as to compel serious attention and usually acceptance," telling stresses an immediate and crucial effect striking at the heart of a matter.

a telling example of bureaucratic waste

When would cogent be a good substitute for telling?

Although the words cogent and telling have much in common, cogent may stress either weight of sound argument and evidence or lucidity of presentation.

the prosecutor's cogent summation won over the jury

When is it sensible to use convincing instead of telling?

The synonyms convincing and telling are sometimes interchangeable, but convincing suggests a power to overcome doubt, opposition, or reluctance to accept.

a convincing argument for welfare reform

When is sound a more appropriate choice than telling?

The words sound and telling can be used in similar contexts, but sound implies a basis of flawless reasoning or of solid grounds.

a sound proposal for reviving the economy

Where would valid be a reasonable alternative to telling?

While the synonyms valid and telling are close in meaning, valid implies being supported by objective truth or generally accepted authority.

a valid reason for being absent

a valid marriage

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of telling

Adjective

Nothing in Rohmer is more telling than those moments when two individuals stare at each other. — André Aciman, Literary Hub, 13 July 2026 The agreement is expected to be signed Friday in Switzerland, but experts at GasBuddy say the next few days will be very telling, especially if traffic begins moving in the Strait of Hormuz. — Marissa Sulek, CBS News, 15 June 2026

Verb

Conservative political analyst Melik Abdul agreed with Tindell, telling CNN as a Black Mississippi native he has been frustrated by how Crump has zeroed in on race in the Wells case. — Ryan Young, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026 What are your sources telling you about how this trade war is playing out here at home? — NBC news, 30 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for telling

Recent Examples of Synonyms for telling

Adjective

Critics of Modi’s prudent management of Washington have not come up with a convincing alternative strategy for how India should handle the growing power imbalance with China.

— C. Raja Mohan, Foreign Affairs, 27 Aug. 2026
Sturdivant has been one of the Packers’ training camp standouts, making a convincing case for his inclusion on the 53-man roster.

— Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of convincing

Verb

OpenAI's investigation, released this week, went considerably further, describing agents that found unauthorized ways to communicate, collaborate and delegate work while attempting to accomplish their objectives.

— Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
The company says its technology is being developed to produce both electricity and high-temperature industrial heat, with its website describing temperatures of up to about 2012°F (1,100°C).

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of describing

Verb

On Monday, those five writers — also DSA-LA members — panned the idea of an endorsement, saying Raman hasn’t earned it.

— Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
The display was set up by police, with authorities saying some of the bodies recovered from the floods were in an advanced state of decomposition, making physical identification difficult.

— Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of saying

Verb

The number has crept up in recent years, averaging around 1,700 but sometimes topping 2,000, as heat risks grow and counting strategies evolve.

— Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026
This is why counting AI pilots tells us little about whether an organization is becoming more innovative.

— Jeff DeGraff, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of counting

Verb

The company shared a video with reporters of someone sitting on a chair, instructing the computer with their voice in what appeared to be a seamless, albeit staged, interaction.

— Emily Forlini, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2026
Buckingham is also objecting to instructing on involuntary manslaughter.

— Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of instructing

Verb

The nonprofit is not disclosing the price of the building, but the purchase comes as part of Loaves & Fishes’ $15 million Nourish Together campaign, which also is funding the expansion of the organization’s Aurora Food Distribution Hub.

— Marie Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
The groups accuse the company of not disclosing all chemicals emitted during the fire, posing health risks for local residents.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of disclosing

Adjective

How widespread those changes will be is a compelling question.

— Chandler Rome, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
This involves understanding and speaking the client's language, translating complex technology into tangible business outcomes, and delivering compelling presentations.

— William Arruda, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of compelling

Browse Nearby Words

tellies

telling

telling (of)

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“Telling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/telling. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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