Thesaurus

tell

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of tell

1 to give an oral or written account of in some detail

They told the story of how they had met.

Synonyms of tell

chart, chronicle, describe, narrate, recite, recount, rehearse, relate, report

Words Related to tell

deliver, give, reel off, state, utter, voice

detail, enumerate, itemize, particularize

bare, disclose, divulge, expose, let on (about), reveal

delineate, depict, express, render, sketch

Phrases Synonymous with tell

set forth

2 to express (a thought or emotion) in words

Just tell us what is in your heart.

Synonyms of tell

articulate, bring out, enunciate, pass, say, speak, state, talk, utter, verbalize, vocalize

Words Related to tell

air, discuss, share, sound, vent, ventilate, voice

blabber, blurt, get off, shoot

advertise, announce, blaze, broadcast, declare, post, proclaim, promulgate, publicize, publish

affirm, allege, assert, aver, avouch, avow

breathe, chirp, drawl, gasp, lip, mouth, murmur, purr, shout, spout, whisper

clothe, couch, formulate, phrase, word

comment, pipe up (with), remark

Phrases Synonymous with tell

put into words

Near Antonyms of tell

stifle, suppress

3 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 of tell

count, enumerate, number

Words Related to tell

add (up), tally, total

calculate, compute, reckon, table, tabulate

check, mark, tick (off)

4 to give information to

Tell me, when did you begin playing the violin?

Synonyms of tell

acquaint, advise, apprise, brief, catch up, clear, clue (in), enlighten, familiarize, fill in, hip, inform, instruct, verse, wise (up)

Words Related to tell

advertise, alert, notify

announce (to), disclose (to)

assure, certify, convince, reassure, warrant

educate, lecture, school, teach, tutor

disabuse, disenchant, disillusion, undeceive

Phrases Synonymous with tell

keep posted (one), let know (one)

Near Antonyms of tell

misinform, mislead

5 to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority

told us to sit still and wait

Synonyms of tell

adjure, bid, boss (around), charge, command, direct, enjoin, instruct, order

Words Related to tell

ask, petition, request

beg, beseech, entreat

advise, counsel, warn

appoint, assign, authorize, commission

oversee, superintend, supervise

conduct, control, lead, manage

coerce, compel, constrain, force, oblige, require

Near Antonyms of tell

comply (with), follow, keep, observe

Antonyms of tell

6 to make known (as information previously kept secret)

I won't tell your secret to anyone.

Synonyms of tell

bare, disclose, discover, divulge, expose, let on (about), reveal, spill, unbosom, uncloak, uncover, unmask, unveil

Words Related to tell

debunk, show up

unclothe, undrape

advertise, announce, blaze, bring out, broadcast, declare, placard, post, proclaim, promulgate, publicize, publish, sound

betray, blab, give away, leak

inform, squeal, talk

communicate, impart, relate

disinter, rake up, smoke out, unearth

Phrases Synonymous with tell

bring to light, go public (with), let the cat out of the bag (about), spill the beans (about)

Near Antonyms of tell

camouflage, disguise

gild, gloss (over), varnish, whitewash

becloud, bedim, befog, cloud, darken, eclipse, obscure, overcast, overshadow, shade

Antonyms of tell

cloak, conceal, cover (up), enshroud, hide, mask, shroud, veil

Synonym Discussion of tell

reveal, disclose, divulge, tell, betray mean to make known what has been or should be concealed. reveal may apply to supernatural or inspired revelation of truths beyond the range of ordinary human vision or reason.

- divine will as revealed in sacred writings

disclose may imply a discovering but more often an imparting of information previously kept secret.

- candidates must disclose their financial assets

divulge implies a disclosure involving some impropriety or breach of confidence.

- refused to divulge an anonymous source

tell implies an imparting of necessary or useful information.

- told them what he had overheard

betray implies a divulging that represents a breach of faith or an involuntary or unconscious disclosure.

- a blush that betrayed her embarrassment

Learn More about tell

See words that rhyme with tell Dictionary: Definition of tell Spanish Central: Translation of tell Nglish: Translation of tell for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of tell for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tell

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