tell

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as in to count
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

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb tell differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of tell are betray, disclose, divulge, and reveal. While all these words mean "to make known what has been or should be concealed," tell implies an imparting of necessary or useful information.

told them what he had overheard

Where would betray be a reasonable alternative to tell?

While in some cases nearly identical to tell, betray implies a divulging that represents a breach of faith or an involuntary or unconscious disclosure.

a blush that betrayed her embarrassment

When would disclose be a good substitute for tell?

The words disclose and tell can be used in similar contexts, but disclose may imply a discovering but more often an imparting of information previously kept secret.

candidates must disclose their financial assets

When might divulge be a better fit than tell?

Although the words divulge and tell have much in common, divulge implies a disclosure involving some impropriety or breach of confidence.

refused to divulge an anonymous source

In what contexts can reveal take the place of tell?

The meanings of reveal and tell largely overlap; however, 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

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 Singer said the region’s job numbers tell a compelling story about just how prepared the region’s tech workforce is to tackle emerging jobs in the field. Austin Hornbostel, Nashville Tennessean, 1 Oct. 2025 It’s told up until what happened recently. Giana Levy, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025 The fifth inning told the story of the Mets’ season. Will Sammon, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025 While production on Spider-Man: Brand New Day has been paused for a week, after star Tom Holland suffered a concussion on set, casting on the project continues, as Marvin Jones III has been tapped for the role of Tombstone, sources tell Deadline. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tell
Verb
  • Rookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan used another adjective to describe Dowdle’s running style.
    Joseph Person, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Police described Taylor as a Black male who is 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 200 pounds.
    Erik S. Hanley, jsonline.com, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • An Elanco spokesperson said the company will add public amenities next to the headquarters that neighbors can enjoy, such as a waterfront trail.
    Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Education Department spokeswoman Rachel Starks said the total number of student awards listed in the report is not final.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • There was a similar effort in the build-up to Bukayo Saka’s goal against Leeds United which, again, won’t count as an assist despite its importance.
    Art de Roché, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Ballot boxes have closed across Syria in the country’s first parliamentary elections since the fall of the Assad regime, as counting continued late into Sunday evening in what officials described as a defining step in Syria’s political transition.
    Eyad Kourdi, CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The only way attorneys knew their client was detained at the site was because a family member informed them following a phone call from one of the phones located inside cells at the facility.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2025
  • And then another thing to keep in mind is the importance of being informed, knowing what’s going on in the world.
    María Mérida, Glamour, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The agency is investigating what caused the crash, but noted air traffic control had instructed flight 5155 to wait to cross the intersection and yield to the other aircraft.
    Aaron Cooper, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
  • According to the allegations, King instructed a female employee to remove her sweater, which was covering a V-neck blouse.
    Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Well, that’s what the aforementioned six-week process is intended to reveal.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2025
  • These two games will be revealing.
    Chad Graff, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • This leads to her descent into a vicious vortex narrated with Greek tragedy tropes.
    Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 2 Oct. 2025
  • This Natural History and Horror series is created by Blumhouse Television and narrated by Maya Hawke.
    DeVonne Goode, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The working group held 10 meetings between July and September, and talked to various entities affected or interested.
    Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Home in a comfy chair, holding baby Zakaria, who’s nursing while Mayniel talks.
    Anna Gaca, Pitchfork, 1 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tell. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on tell

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