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
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 tell
The shots came from a gray Dodge Charger just before 7 a.m. Sheriff’s officials said a caller told dispatchers they were fired upon after yelling at the Dodge’s driver for throwing trash onto the roadway.
—
Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 18 Aug. 2025
But actress Helen Mirren recently told Saga Magazine that taking that route would produce an entirely different film.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 18 Aug. 2025
The reason for the lower top-of-the-range in the new guidance is due mainly to economic uncertainties, a spokesperson told WWD in an statement.
—Cathrin Schaer, Footwear News, 6 Aug. 2025
The morning after the Walt Disney Co. and the NFL formally announced their blockbuster equity-for-assets swap, Bob Iger told investors the deal may well be the biggest thing to hit ESPN in nearly 40 years.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tell
Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 18 Aug. 2025
But actress Helen Mirren recently told Saga Magazine that taking that route would produce an entirely different film.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 18 Aug. 2025
The reason for the lower top-of-the-range in the new guidance is due mainly to economic uncertainties, a spokesperson told WWD in an statement.
—Cathrin Schaer, Footwear News, 6 Aug. 2025
The morning after the Walt Disney Co. and the NFL formally announced their blockbuster equity-for-assets swap, Bob Iger told investors the deal may well be the biggest thing to hit ESPN in nearly 40 years.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tell
Verb
-
The post described troops working behind the scenes in police offices, and conducting traffic management and manning perimeters around crime scenes when necessary.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
17 Aug. 2025
-
At least seven students at a Park Hill School District middle school described uncomfortable interactions with Washington to Platte County Sheriff’s Office detectives, court records show.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
17 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Wei, who had received Naval counterintelligence and insider threat training just days earlier, strongly suspected that his new social media acquaintance was a Chinese spy, prosecutors said.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Last year, acting and literary arts programs paused receiving new applications, Elmendorf said.—
Racquel Bazos,
Baltimore Sun,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Today, 120 billion births have already happened, counting back to the beginning of humanity as a species, and including the births of the 8 billion people alive today.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Ives runs the Wedbush AI Revolution ETF, which counts Palantir among its top holdings.—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
For institutional and retail clients alike, that means strategies informed by real-time intelligence rather than backward-looking assumptions.—
Brent Gleeson,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
-
The city had been informed about the intent for the National Guard to be armed, a person familiar with the conversations said earlier this week.—
Chris Megerian,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
As the experts noted, the executive order only instructs the Department of Labor to review existing regulations and guidance around alternative investments.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Aug. 2025
-
For Nautilus and Mach-E vehicle owners, Ford will mail owner notification letters instructing them to take their vehicles to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have the part replaced.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
His Monday meeting in the Oval Office with Zelensky will likely reveal an evolution in their relationship, and Trump’s view of Putin, since their ghastly February blowout.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
16 Aug. 2025
-
Tap the contact to reveal the actual email or telephone number behind it.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The film, premiering September 15 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, is directed by award-winning filmmaker Evan Mascagni (Building a Bridge, Circle of Poison) and narrated by actor Boyd Holbrook (Narcos, Logan).—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
22 Aug. 2025
-
The Oscar winner is confirmed to narrate four performances of Beethoven’s Egmont under the direction of music and artistic director Gustavo Dudamel in February 2026.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Throughout a second year of OTAs, minicamp and training camp, Daniels has done even more of that with his receivers and tight ends, talking to second-year tight end Ben Sinnott about a blitz pickup or to the veteran Samuel about the timing on his deep ball.—
Nicki Jhabvala,
New York Times,
18 Aug. 2025
-
The couple had lived in their Wauwatosa home for 48 years, but decided to check out Overstone and talk to the realtors.—
Liliana Fannin,
jsonline.com,
18 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tell. Accessed 25 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share