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View synonyms for

telling

[tel-ing]

adjective

  1. having force or effect; effective; striking.

    a telling blow.

    Synonyms: , , ,
  2. revealing; indicative of much otherwise unnoticed.

    a telling analysis of motivation in business.



telling

/ ˈɛɪŋ /

adjective

  1. having a marked effect or impact

    a telling blow

  2. revealing

    a telling smile

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • tellingly adverb
  • untelling adjective
  • ˈٱԲ adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of telling1

First recorded in 1850–55; tell 1 + -ing 2
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves defended the decision to launch a national inquiry, telling the programme on Sunday that ministers "never dismissed the concerns of victims" of grooming gangs.

From

“I shouldn’t be out here, but I am — because deep down inside is something that keeps telling me that this is wrong and I need to stand up.”

From

Instead, they can empathize, telling them, “It makes sense — we are all so scared.”

From

Nicola later said she had wanted to, telling the Times Victoria realised her atelier couldn't make it in time so she had to pick a different designer.

From

Authorities had been telling him they would return his niece's body in the 72 hours normally required to complete DNA matching - which end on Sunday.

From

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tellintell it like it is