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
-
This was indicative of how history recorded the imprisonment of so many other Maryland political leaders, newspaper editors and other citizens imprisoned under the suspension of habeas corpus which denied their right to present a defense or to even publicly proclaim their side of the story.—
Paul Callahan,
Baltimore Sun,
29 May 2025
-
And Just Like That season 3 premiere is indicative of what’s to come this season for our favorite New Yorker.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
29 May 2025
Noun
-
Another informant said Linda hit Todd over the head with a blunt object.—
Erin Moriarty,
CBS News,
20 May 2025
-
The federal investigation of the NDP also raised concerns, involving payments to informants that strengthened a violent splinter group.—
Mark Sappenfield,
Christian Science Monitor,
12 May 2025
Adjective
-
The actress goes on to stay that specific moment is reflective of why their relationship flourishes.—
Raven Brunner,
People.com,
31 May 2025
-
These many watering holes are reflective of the Lone Star state's varied geographic regions, from bald cypress swamps to mountainous desert lakes.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
31 May 2025
Noun
-
Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors The next Pokémon TCG Pocket expansion is almost here, with the new set coming later this week and introducing a host of new cards, including powerful new Ultra Beast cards that could change the meta in a big way.—
Oliver Brandt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 May 2025
-
Pop culture and celebrity gossip accounts Deuxmoi and Comments by Celebs will further amplify the top secret relationship by posting paparazzi photos of Cartwright entering a Life Time with a mystery man.—
Emily Burns,
Footwear News,
28 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
-
While the reports do give more clarity than a warrant canary, the traditional canary page has been an industry standard that many people recognize immediately.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
20 May 2025
-
While in prison, Stroud began raising canaries and conducted research on birds, later publishing respected books on bird diseases.—
Karina Tsui,
CNN Money,
5 May 2025
Noun
-
Harry gets off the phone, tells Seraphina that Jaime has accepted the terms, but doesn't share the rat caveat.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
26 May 2025
-
But peregrines rarely catch rats, raising fears that the rodent had been poisoned and the young falcons may have ingested toxic rat poison.—
Ethan Baron,
Mercury News,
24 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Telltale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/telltale. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
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