1
as in affecting
to act upon (a person or a person's feelings) so as to cause a response
the pressure of final exams is beginning to tell on the students in the dorm
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in talking
to give information (as to the authorities) about another's improper or unlawful activities
detectives convinced the perpetrators in custody to tell on their associates
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for telling (on)
Verb
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Can soda go back and forth between cold and room temperature without affecting the quality?—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
24 May 2026 -
That’s just over half the average cost of $145,000 for all fraud cases, which also include incidents affecting private companies and government agencies.—
Sarah Webber,
Fortune,
24 May 2026
Verb
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Yousef Miller, a member of the North County Equity and Justice Coalition, was out on Buchanan Street on Monday, talking with people who pulled over to ask what had happened to Sheron.—
Caleb Lunetta,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 May 2026
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Including Olah on the launch platform, however, shows the Vatican is seeking to directly influence those involved with developing the technology, and not to simply be talking from the sidelines.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
25 May 2026
Verb
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Traditionally written as letters to Catholic bishops and the wider church, encyclicals offer authoritative guidance on major moral, social, or political questions and often shape Catholic thought for generations, even influencing debates that reach far beyond the Vatican.—
Nandika Chatterjee,
Time,
26 May 2026
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While DSOs are generally barred from directly influencing medical decisions, several states have brought lawsuits citing a corporate culture that pressures dentists to maximize profit.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 May 2026
Verb
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Coleman, meanwhile, could step in right away for significant touches in Denver’s backfield after impressing at the Broncos’ rookie minicamp two weekends ago.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
20 May 2026
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But Jakucionis went on to crack the Heat’s rotation in December by impressing coaches with his energy, playmaking skills and ability to hold up on defense.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Newman also said the crisis is unevenly distributed, disproportionately impacting low-income families who can’t afford private tutoring.—
Molly Gibbs,
Mercury News,
25 May 2026
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Analysts said the move to impose VAT would drive a significant number of consumers back to cash transactions to avoid costly charges, and risked hurting the country’s position as a leader on the continent in mobile money and fintech in addition to impacting diaspora remittances.—
Martin K.N Siele,
semafor.com,
25 May 2026
Verb
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The indictment also alleges that Cuba's intelligence agency tasked a network of spies in Florida with informing on Brothers to the Rescue.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
20 May 2026
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Jones emailed Westworth Village residents informing them of potential election disturbances.—
Maven Navarro,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 May 2026
Verb
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Handlers use leashes and balls that can be easily cleaned, and people must sanitize their hands before and after touching the dogs.—
Laura Ungar,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2026
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The board-level gains created the appearance of progress without touching the underlying power structure.—
Caroline Fairchild,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
Verb
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And the band’s iconic red-and-white all-over aesthetic was striking to anyone with a discerning eye.—
Andy Battaglia,
ARTnews.com,
22 May 2026
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Trump has been threatening for weeks that the ceasefire reached in mid-April could end if Iran does not make a deal, with shifting parameters for striking such an agreement.—
Sam Mednick,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Telling (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/telling%20%28on%29. Accessed 28 May. 2026.
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