1
as in to describe
to give an oral or written account of in some detail
they told the story of how they had met
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to say
to express (a thought or emotion) in words
just tell us what is in your heart
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
4
as in to inform
to give information to
tell me, when did you begin playing the violin?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to instruct
to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority
told us to sit still and wait
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to reveal
to make known (as information previously kept secret)
I won't tell your secret to anyone
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tell
At least 15 users joined Gendron’s server shortly before the supermarket shooting spree, a source with knowledge of Discord’s internal investigation told CNN.
—
Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 18 Sep. 2025
Rackauckas allegedly told the detective to delay writing a report on Lunsford’s statement.
—Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 17 Sep. 2025
The canyon between Laura and the couple remains vast after Laura told Cherry in Episode 3 that Daniel died after his rock-climbing accident just to get Cherry out of their lives.
—Erin Jensen, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Seven Stories was probably best known for Nautilus, the adaptation of Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas starring Shazad Latif and Richard E. Grant, which told the origin story of Captain Nemo and was co-produced with Moonriver TV.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tell
Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 18 Sep. 2025
Rackauckas allegedly told the detective to delay writing a report on Lunsford’s statement.
—Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 17 Sep. 2025
The canyon between Laura and the couple remains vast after Laura told Cherry in Episode 3 that Daniel died after his rock-climbing accident just to get Cherry out of their lives.
—Erin Jensen, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Seven Stories was probably best known for Nautilus, the adaptation of Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas starring Shazad Latif and Richard E. Grant, which told the origin story of Captain Nemo and was co-produced with Moonriver TV.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tell
Verb
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More importantly, Penske also describes this dynamic as antitrust behavior from a company abusing what the federal government has already described as Google’s monopoly status in the realm of Internet search.—
Andy Meek,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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Three people present described the manner of the two strangers as detached and off-putting, and said their story just did not add up.—
Denver Nicks,
Rolling Stone,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Doctors and public health experts said that the hepatitis B shot is currently recommended for all babies at birth because the risk if a baby is missed is too high.—
Dr. Jade Cobern,
ABC News,
18 Sep. 2025
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Aid groups say the Israeli military continues to restrict access to food, water, and humanitarian aid, worsening a crisis already marked by starvation and displacement.—
Kaity Kline,
NPR,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Muller’s goal that did count, incidentally, was featured on the front page of the New York Times the day after the game.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
14 Sep. 2025
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Washington counts Qatar as a strong Gulf ally.—
Jarrett Renshaw,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In one email reviewed by USA TODAY, a CDC employee was informed that their reasonable telework accommodation request had been withdrawn with no further explanation or justification in the middle of the night, giving them fewer than eight hours of notice before the next workday began.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
18 Sep. 2025
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Bluemercury was gracious enough to clue our editors in on what its hottest products of the season are, so that you can be better informed when filling your cart with moisturizers, shampoos, serums, hair styling tools, eyeliners, and all sorts of other beauty essentials.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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When testing is over, as instructed, Fred asks about his blood pressure.—
Bryant Stamford,
Louisville Courier Journal,
18 Sep. 2025
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First, Rackauckas instructed Fullerton Detective Antonio Hernandez to keep the tape recorder off during their first interview with Neary, the motion says.—
Tony Saavedra,
Oc Register,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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An initial jolt of spicy pink pepper dissipates to reveal a rose dripping in honeyed, ambery sweetness, while its leathery base adds strength, dimension, and something a little bit naughty to this fruity-floral triumph of a scent.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
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Standard blood tests then revealed his liver function to be out of sorts.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Television viewers would not see this footage until 1975, when a late-night show hosted by Geraldo Rivera showed a grainy, bootlegged copy narrated by a couple of conspiracy proponents.—
Time,
Time,
20 Sep. 2025
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In the footage, a series of on-screen captions narrated the experience from the pup's perspective.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Schweigert emphasized the importance of talking slowly, before sending participants back to the breakrooms to reintroduce themselves with a more deliberate pace.—
Katherine Fung,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
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When Zuckerberg started talking, Boz's glasses began displaying subtitles.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tell. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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