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
Relevance
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
Our pro panel tells us that works out to about 1 ½ to 2 tablespoons of salt.
—
Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 June 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, 7 June 2025
Burt Reynolds told Business Insider in 2016 that, like Pacino, he was offered and turned down the part.
—Mike Miller Published, EW.com, 7 June 2025
In 2024, a highly intoxicated passenger on an All Nippon Airways flight from Tokyo to Seattle reportedly bit a flight attendant in the arm an hour after takeoff, the Japanese airline told The Japan Times.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for tell
Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 June 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, 7 June 2025
Burt Reynolds told Business Insider in 2016 that, like Pacino, he was offered and turned down the part.
—Mike Miller Published, EW.com, 7 June 2025
In 2024, a highly intoxicated passenger on an All Nippon Airways flight from Tokyo to Seattle reportedly bit a flight attendant in the arm an hour after takeoff, the Japanese airline told The Japan Times.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for tell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tell
Verb
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Most public attention on tax policy focuses on income tax rates, but Riessen describes what expanded depreciation benefits meant for her business.—
Carrie Lukas,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
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Hatfield did not say whether San Diego Pride had changed Kehlani’s contract as Gloria described.—
Maura Fox,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 June 2025
Verb
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Another victim was also found dead at the scene from an apparent gunshot wound, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2025
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Officer and firefighters responded to a missing child in the area near 2401 Preston Road around 9 p.m., Frisco police said.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 June 2025
Verb
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That’s basically one for every 1,000 residents, but who’s counting?—
Peter Madonia,
New York Daily News,
31 May 2025
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Some projects or clients are more important than others, and some ongoing tasks count more than others.—
Caroline Ceniza-Levine,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
Verb
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Attendees had been informed of the location just 48 hours in advance.—
Hannah Allam,
ProPublica,
31 May 2025
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Detainees were not informed of their destination, with many fearing they were being deported, according to Jerez-Robles' family.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 May 2025
Verb
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An immigration attorney told ABC7 that individuals received a text instructing them to appear for a routine case review in the South Loop, only to be detained shortly after.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 June 2025
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But the next stage involves AIs which can perform specific actions, whether booking airline tickets or designing software, when instructed.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
5 June 2025
Verb
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The government of the UK revealed its commitment to the social cause by developing a framework that includes exploring ways to increase school funding across the board, improving mental support for students, and hiring more teachers in classrooms.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 June 2025
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Diary entries written by Luigi Mangione reveal the now 27-year-old’s detailed thinking before the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last year, a new court filing shows.—
Dalia Faheid,
CNN Money,
5 June 2025
Verb
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The doc is built around intimate observational footage, rare archive film clips and readings from Welsh’s novels narrated by Liam Neeson (Batman Begins), Maxine Peake (The Theory of Everything), musician Nick Cave, Ruth Negga (Ad Astra) and Stephen Graham (Adolescence).—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
30 May 2025
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But other sources say Disney just outbid Netflix, fostering their already strong kiddie portfolio of Bluey, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and old episodes of Disneyland narrated by former nazis.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
26 May 2025
Verb
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This is a poor day to talk to parents, bosses, authority figures and the police about anything important.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
7 June 2025
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Barnard spoke Friday at a hearing of Democratic members of Congress and said some family members of the men had been able to talk to them Thursday.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tell. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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