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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of telltale
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
Many of them were topped with ominous radar images or a telltale swirl with a colorful eye.
—Madeleine Marr Miami Herald (tns), al, 23 Aug. 2023
To him, any piece of a ship is a telltale: How it was constructed speaks volumes about where and when a ship was built.
—Lawrence Specker | Lspecker@al.com, al, 9 July 2023
Oakley’s script draws from the experience of lesbians oppressed under Section 28, and that verisimilitude informs every moment of McEwen’s quiet but stirring performance, the strain showing in telltale flickers across her face.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 June 2023
Noun
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
Many of them were topped with ominous radar images or a telltale swirl with a colorful eye.
—Madeleine Marr Miami Herald (tns), al, 23 Aug. 2023
To him, any piece of a ship is a telltale: How it was constructed speaks volumes about where and when a ship was built.
—Lawrence Specker | Lspecker@al.com, al, 9 July 2023
Oakley’s script draws from the experience of lesbians oppressed under Section 28, and that verisimilitude informs every moment of McEwen’s quiet but stirring performance, the strain showing in telltale flickers across her face.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 June 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for telltale
Adjective
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Geographical proximity isn’t necessarily indicative of anything.Sam Blum, The Athletic, 10 Dec. 2024
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This sample is not indicative of iVerify’s entire device population and belonged to journalists, government officials and corporate executives.Kate O'Flaherty, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
Noun
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This information was passed off to the DEA from an informant working for the airline who was being paid whenever agents seized cash based on their tips.Andrew Wimer, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
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But just as Tomás acclimates to his new life, he is asked by his former boss (and then threatened by state police forces) to essentially become an informant.Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Wedding tablescapes are arguably the most memorable part of a couple’s wedding decor, combining multiple visual elements that are reflective of the couple, their location, and their aesthetic.Boutayna Chokrane, Vogue, 9 Dec. 2024
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The president-elect's transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment whether that was reflective of the ceasefire proposal Trump shared Sunday.Sarah D. Wire, USA TODAY, 8 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Send your questions, comments and gossip to LAontheRecord@latimes.com.Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 14 Dec. 2024
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Callas first met Onassis in 1957 at a party hosted by socialite and gossip columnist Elsa Maxwell.Katie Mannion, People.com, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Given the increasingly absurd pretexts the state is using for criminal prosecution and the resounding success of informers of all stripes, the judicial crackdown will continue to worsen.Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 17 May 2024
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Standing in his way are British spies, French informers and jealous colleagues.Liza Foreman, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Apr. 2024
Noun
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In a lot of ways, Yastrzemski is a canary in the coal mine.Grant Brisbee, The Athletic, 22 Nov. 2024
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The songbirds, like canaries and starlings and so forth.Janna Levin, Quanta Magazine, 21 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Most studies have been done in rats, not in humans.Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 14 Dec. 2024
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Here is everything to know about roof rats in Arizona.Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 13 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near telltale
Cite this Entry
“Telltale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/telltale. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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