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
In it, Martin, who is curating the show, tells Elmo of the significance of the performance — and gets some help choosing the performers.
—
Phil Helsel, NBC news, 14 May 2026
Turner tells him the story is already filed with the press.
—Paul Fitzgerald, Rolling Stone, 14 May 2026
Single-year growth tells a similar story.
—John Marks, Charlotte Observer, 14 May 2026
Thomas has not entered pleas and is scheduled to appear in court on May 26, the county attorney's office tells PEOPLE.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
In the video, Eatherly tells first responders a man was pointing and laughing at him.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 14 May 2026
Over time, that tells the system your number isn’t worth the effort.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
When the vote is going to be for Tiffany, Rizo tells Cirie about it, even though the J’s told him not to.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 14 May 2026
That tells you everything about the disconnect people are feeling.
—Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards, Mercury News, 7 May 2026
Phil Helsel, NBC news, 14 May 2026
Turner tells him the story is already filed with the press.
—Paul Fitzgerald, Rolling Stone, 14 May 2026
Single-year growth tells a similar story.
—John Marks, Charlotte Observer, 14 May 2026
Thomas has not entered pleas and is scheduled to appear in court on May 26, the county attorney's office tells PEOPLE.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
In the video, Eatherly tells first responders a man was pointing and laughing at him.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 14 May 2026
Over time, that tells the system your number isn’t worth the effort.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
When the vote is going to be for Tiffany, Rizo tells Cirie about it, even though the J’s told him not to.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 14 May 2026
That tells you everything about the disconnect people are feeling.
—Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards, Mercury News, 7 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tells
Verb
-
In an interview with the website Public Parking, the writer Lucy Ives describes ad-libbing a writing exercise to kill an awkward classroom silence.—
David O’Neill,
New Yorker,
20 May 2026
-
Crain describes the situation as a broader pattern, arguing that the city has favored new development over maintaining historic and cultural sites.—
Amelia Mugavero,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
Bianco says the probe is a fact‑finding effort to ensure election integrity, not a criminal case.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
-
The complaint says the parents were told the injury was caused by normal toddler play.—
Lina Ruiz
May 14,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
In the House of Representatives, the ever-changing margins are razor-thin — just ask Republican Speaker Mike Johnson, who struggles with vote counts daily.—
Scott Braden,
Denver Post,
19 May 2026
-
The company also counts Schottenstein among its investors.—
Gabrielle Fonrouge,
CNBC,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
From bougainvillea pink to garden greens, see how nature informs designer Peter Dunham's fearless use of color and pattern.—
Eleni N. Gage,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 May 2026
-
Inside, the metal drive-mode knob is treated to a red anodized finish, which also informs the color of the contrast stitching, seatbelts, headrest embroidery, and piping.—
Bradley Iger,
Robb Report,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
The legislation, which won't take effect until after the November 2026 election, instructs the secretary of the Senate to place senators' paychecks on hold during the duration of any future federal government shutdowns.—
Lalee Ibssa,
ABC News,
14 May 2026
-
The memo instructs creators who sign on to make new social media accounts under usernames that reflect their names or a nickname, avoiding brands, random numbers or anything that looks like spam.—
Lia Russell,
Sacbee.com,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Gray and his superb cast are in blazing form and full command here in a bruising movie that reveals the heavy price of pursuing the American Dream too recklessly, instead of heeding Aeschylus’ words.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
-
But tending to two people reveals the fine line between freedom and precarity.—
Beatrice Loayza,
Variety,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
In an interview with VF Italia, the head of the Global Epidemic Intelligence and Health Security Section at the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control recounts the initial measures taken by the doctor who boarded the cruise ship to deal with the emergency.—
Alice Politi,
Vanity Fair,
12 May 2026
-
The docuseries, which recounts a woman’s experience after her husband admits to murder, built up 8M views for the week.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Unlike many diplomats and aid officials, Zeid speaks with unusual candor.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
16 May 2026
-
In his first interview out of Cannes through a Russian-language interpreter, Zvyagintsev speaks about his unlikely return.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tells.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tells. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
