telling

[ˈtɛlɪŋ]

telling Definition

• 1. having a powerful or striking effect
• 2. revealing or indicating something

Using telling: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "telling" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The silence was telling of their disappointment.

• Example

  Her facial expression was telling of her true feelings.

• Example

  The statistics are telling of the current state of the economy.

telling Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for telling

• revealing
• significant
• meaningful
• powerful
• striking

Antonyms for telling

• unimpressive
• insignificant

Phrases with telling

• tell on

  to reveal someone's wrongdoing or misdeed to an authority figure

  Example

  I'm afraid I'll have to tell on you if you don't stop cheating on the exams.

• tell apart

  to distinguish one thing from another

  Example

  It's hard to tell the twins apart because they look so similar.

• tell off

  to scold or reprimand someone

  Example

  The teacher told off the students for not paying attention in class.

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Summary: telling in Brief

The adjective 'telling' [ˈtɛlɪŋ] describes something that has a powerful or striking effect, or reveals or indicates something. It is often used to describe nonverbal cues or data that reveal information, as in 'Her facial expression was telling of her true feelings.' 'Telling' can also be used in phrases like 'tell on,' meaning to reveal someone's wrongdoing, and 'tell apart,' meaning to distinguish one thing from another.