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?

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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

When peacemakers finally pried apart Slaughter and Dropo, Slaughter had his jersey ripped, but Dropo had taken the more telling punches. — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2026 The most telling difference, though, comes from the decisions of Turner and the other young extension candidates. — Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 9 June 2026

Verb

Abernathy Greenway Park walk with Trees Atlanta Take a walk through the park with a Trees Atlanta docent, who will teach simple tricks for telling trees apart and share stories about why trees are important and how to protect them. — Mary Caldwell, AJC.com, 4 Aug. 2026 What drew you to telling this story through such a large ensemble of characters rather than following a single protagonist? — Jd Linville, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for telling

Recent Examples of Synonyms for telling

Adjective

The Dream bounced back and held off the new-look Mercury on Wednesday night at the Gateway Center Arena, coming away with a convincing 96-82 victory.

— Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 6 Aug. 2026
As of late, celebrities of all ages have made a convincing case for low-rise jeans.

— Kelsey Stewart, Glamour, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of convincing

Verb

Asking Out Loud Which brings me to the last person in this column, and the only one who solved the problem rather than describing it.

— Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Though each of the nine reports labeled the cause of death as asphyxiation due to burial in snow, sections describing the conditions of the bodies were redacted.

— Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of describing

Verb

In a pretrial hearing, the judge overseeing the case ruled to allow the jury to hear his book and media interviews, saying the proffer agreement did not cover public statements.

— Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
After five officers in Georgia were charged with accessing Flock data for personal use, the company issued a statement saying the case proves their system works to hold law enforcement accountable.

— N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of saying

Verb

Much of the information employers consider originates outside the organization and may pass through several sources or intermediaries before informing an employment decision.

— Alonzo Martinez, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
The findings from these types of exercises are important for informing where an organization could improve.

— Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of informing

Adjective

That said, together, the synergy of Venus and Pluto can make an attraction feel more compelling, or perhaps a conversation more intimate than usual.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 10 Aug. 2026
Beyond gaudy numbers and a long scroll of awards and achievements, Nelson was one of the most colorful and compelling coaches to grace the Bay Area in any professional sport.

— Carl Steward, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of compelling

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tellies

telling

telling (of)

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“Telling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/telling. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of telling

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