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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of tells
Keep in mind that these responses are usually experienced by men and women, Bert Mandelbaum, MD, sports medicine specialist at the Regenerative Orthobiologic Center at Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedics in Los Angeles, tells SELF.
—
Korin Miller, SELF, 22 Sep. 2025
Han tells Entertainment Weekly with a laugh.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Sep. 2025
The percentage tells the public how much of the fire perimeter is believed to not go beyond the control lines.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 21 Sep. 2025
His feature debut tells the story of 33-year-old garbage worker Sandro who cleans the streets of Lisbon at night and cares for his twin babies during the day.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 21 Sep. 2025
John tells fellow Hawaiians of the wisdom kept in this game like how the stone carvings from hundreds of years ago are believed to have been used as an abacus-esque device for managing and allocating land.
—Matt Negrin, Rolling Stone, 20 Sep. 2025
In short, the new material can be thought of as a smart, rubbery material that tells you when it’s stressed out by literally changing color.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 14 Sep. 2025
But Eklund tells Fortune even that isn’t needed.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2025
Research in attachment theory tells us that people with anxious attachment tendencies often monitor signs of availability and care in their partners.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Korin Miller, SELF, 22 Sep. 2025
Han tells Entertainment Weekly with a laugh.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Sep. 2025
The percentage tells the public how much of the fire perimeter is believed to not go beyond the control lines.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 21 Sep. 2025
His feature debut tells the story of 33-year-old garbage worker Sandro who cleans the streets of Lisbon at night and cares for his twin babies during the day.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 21 Sep. 2025
John tells fellow Hawaiians of the wisdom kept in this game like how the stone carvings from hundreds of years ago are believed to have been used as an abacus-esque device for managing and allocating land.
—Matt Negrin, Rolling Stone, 20 Sep. 2025
In short, the new material can be thought of as a smart, rubbery material that tells you when it’s stressed out by literally changing color.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 14 Sep. 2025
But Eklund tells Fortune even that isn’t needed.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2025
Research in attachment theory tells us that people with anxious attachment tendencies often monitor signs of availability and care in their partners.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tells
Verb
-
The term describes the conscious decision to avoid or renounce managerial roles in order to preserve mental health, maintain balance and prioritize meaningful work.—
Jose Luis Gonzalez Rodriguez,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The neural pathways that Wolf describes, those deep reading circuits built through sustained attention to text, are the same ones that enable complex reasoning, empathy, and the kind of patient thinking that democracy requires.—
Jessica Ewing
September 15,
Literary Hub,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
University of California, Davis law professor Raquel Aldana says California is trying to use this law to identify what federal agents can and cannot do within a state.—
Gerardo Zavala,
NPR,
20 Sep. 2025
-
Sexton, Lee says, elevates the whole environment and Sexton and Ball are really building a rapport and talking up a storm together a lot after practice.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Each text counts as one vote, with a limit of 10 votes per couple via SMS.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Every action counts, whether reducing HFCs, investing in sustainable cooling, or holding governments accountable for climate commitments.—
Dianne Plummer,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Landscape functions as a mood board, terrain shaping tone; the rhythm of the road informs inner narrative.—
Karen Palmer
September 19,
Literary Hub,
19 Sep. 2025
-
After the dowry is shown off, Henry informs the brothers that the Grants’ physician — and not the MacKenzie’s — will perform the exam.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The order also instructs IDPH to publish its own, accessible vaccine guidance to the public, support school vaccination efforts, and work with local health departments, community health centers, disability organizations, and rural providers to encourage vaccination on a larger scale statewide.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The will instructs heirs to sell a 15% stake in the Italian fashion house within 18 months and later transfer an additional stake to the same buyer between three and five years after his death, or pursue an initial public offering, the news agency said, citing the will.—
Robert Birsel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Elon Musk reveals $1 billion stock purchase of Tesla.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The reliance on older tanks pulled from storage, refurbs, and export/show models being re-routed for combat reveals pressures on the Russian armored force structure.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Harris first announced her memoir, which recounts the 107 days of her historic presidential campaign, in July.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
19 Sep. 2025
-
In Eternally Electric, Gibson recounts having to schmooze a Pittsburgh program director to get her record played.—
Leena Tailor,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
That Tory commands such high wattage front row attendees speaks to how much her brand and fashion resonates with women.—
Blue Carreon,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
-
In Virginia, Democratic gubernatorial nominee Abigail Spanberger speaks Spanish in a radio ad about being a mother of three girls who attended public school.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tells.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tells. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share