1
as in describes
to give an oral or written account of in some detail
they told the story of how they had met
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in says
to express (a thought or emotion) in words
just tell us what is in your heart
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in counts
to find the sum of (a collection of things) by noting each one as it is being added
who can tell the number of grains of sand in the world?
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in informs
to give information to
tell me, when did you begin playing the violin?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in instructs
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 reveals
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 tells
As the film tells it, her poses — sometimes casual, sometimes intense, always impressive — caught the eye of fellow climber Ivan Beerkus, and the two soon began collaborating.
—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
1 July 2026
David Martin, who leads the global people and organization practice at BCG, tells Fortune that too many companies are focused on one-hour training sessions, half-day bootcamps, and other classic learning and development programs.
—
John Kell,
Fortune,
1 July 2026
Advertisement When a person tells the story of what happened, something shifts.
—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
1 July 2026
The 2026 Statistical Review tells a familiar story, but with new urgency.
—
Robert Rapier,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
Today, the official count in our solar system stands at eight, as the debate continues over whether that number tells the whole story.
—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
1 July 2026
This is how a San Diegan tells time, but yes.
—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2026
Based on photos and videos from Venezuela, the damage appears to be quite extensive, reporter John Otis tells Up First.
—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
25 June 2026
Per-pupil funding allows districts to allocate funds differently based on their unique needs, unlike state funding, where the state tells schools how to spend the money.
—
Madeline Luebkert,
CBS News,
25 June 2026
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
1 July 2026
David Martin, who leads the global people and organization practice at BCG, tells Fortune that too many companies are focused on one-hour training sessions, half-day bootcamps, and other classic learning and development programs.
—
John Kell,
Fortune,
1 July 2026
Advertisement When a person tells the story of what happened, something shifts.
—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
1 July 2026
The 2026 Statistical Review tells a familiar story, but with new urgency.
—
Robert Rapier,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
Today, the official count in our solar system stands at eight, as the debate continues over whether that number tells the whole story.
—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
1 July 2026
This is how a San Diegan tells time, but yes.
—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2026
Based on photos and videos from Venezuela, the damage appears to be quite extensive, reporter John Otis tells Up First.
—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
25 June 2026
Per-pupil funding allows districts to allocate funds differently based on their unique needs, unlike state funding, where the state tells schools how to spend the money.
—
Madeline Luebkert,
CBS News,
25 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tells
Verb
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The Anti-Defamation League describes Patriot Front as a white supremacist group.
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Staying home might not readily provide the intoxicating beauty Emerson describes.
Verb
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The Canadian report says only 28 human cases have been reported in Canada since 1924, while the CDC reports fewer than 10 people die from rabies each year in the United States.
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The two-story space features professional recording studios, podcast and video suites, co-working lounges and meeting spaces, which are slated to open by early next year once permits are approved, Ihm says.
Verb
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The bill, which counts three cosponsors, has been appointed to two House committees for consideration.
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Unlike Polymarket's Gamma API, Kalshi's notional volume on Dune only counts one side of the trade.
Verb
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Welcome to Latest & Greatest, a franchise that celebrates all the shiniest new beauty launches of the month and informs you what’s worth your time and cash.
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Or a financial services firm where risk scoring informs underwriting, which informs pricing.
Verb
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The commission resolution, approved June 26 with Commissioner Miguel Gabela absent, instructs City Attorney George Wysong to explore legal avenues to blunt Live Local’s impact on the city, including potentially suing the state.
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In addition, the memo instructs the EPA to consider easing some civil enforcement against people who repair their own vehicles in good faith and restore them to their original operating condition.
Verb
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The Public Policy Institute of California reveals that people who participated in college courses while at CDCR are 31% more likely to secure jobs after release.
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Michelle Obama reveals the 'perfect' date night A perfect date night for the Obamas looks like fine dining paired with intellectually stimulating conversation.
Verb
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Thrown into the perilous odyssey of the quest for Europe, Gift recounts the memories that led to her departure.
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Ali, a war survivor from Iraq, takes pride in learning how to use a sewing machine at Eder, but also recounts how he was knocked unconscious in an unprovoked assault while shopping with his family in Walmart.
Verb
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The role required fluency in at least three languages—and Blunt, by her own admission, just about speaks Spanish.
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Host Mary Louise Kelly speaks with NPR's Ukraine Correspondent Joanna Kakissis about the overnight attack in Kyiv, which comes on the heels of Ukraine's drone assaults in Moscow.
Cite this Entry
“Tells.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tells. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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