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
If a direct report is considering a new project or a career pivot, don't tell them which one to take.
—
Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
Tim Weil, the original music director of Rent, tells PEOPLE there was one song Jonathan Larson really wanted to open the show, which would have changed the musical's entire concept.
—Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 17 May 2026
In fact, his instincts tell him to double down by expanding into DNA, the foundational molecule of all living organisms.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 17 May 2026
But Reid Porter, a spokesperson for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, or PhRMA, told the Post Bulletin that hospitals’ 340B earnings don’t result in lowering healthcare costs.
—Dené K. Dryden, Twin Cities, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for tell
Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
Tim Weil, the original music director of Rent, tells PEOPLE there was one song Jonathan Larson really wanted to open the show, which would have changed the musical's entire concept.
—Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 17 May 2026
In fact, his instincts tell him to double down by expanding into DNA, the foundational molecule of all living organisms.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 17 May 2026
But Reid Porter, a spokesperson for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, or PhRMA, told the Post Bulletin that hospitals’ 340B earnings don’t result in lowering healthcare costs.
—Dené K. Dryden, Twin Cities, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for tell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tell
Verb
-
Rather than romanticizing the awards-season whirlwind, Coon described the logistical reality behind it that includes 18-hour days, early-morning events, parenting responsibilities and the invisible labor required to sustain a performing career.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
18 May 2026
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The event brought together pastors, fathers, mentors, activists, business leaders, former gang members and residents from across Chicago in what organizers described as a unified effort to promote safety, accountability and opportunity on the South Side.—
Greg Wehner , Anders Hagstrom,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
The pair, who were at Molineux when Wolverhampton Wanderers returned to the Premier League in August 2018, were back almost eight years later, as the stadium said farewell to the top flight.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
-
In neighboring Uganda, officials said laboratory results confirmed two cases in the capital of Kampala − including one death − among people traveling from Congo with no apparent link to each other.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
What counts more here than Keckly’s balanced view of Mary is her paean to Lincoln.—
Thomas Mallon,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
With over 90% of the Pelican State tally counted, Letlow was holding steady with about 44% of the vote versus Fleming's roughly 28% and Cassidy's approximately 25%.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
In December, the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, or DEEP, began holding meetings to inform the public of the possibility of building more nuclear reactors within the state, hoping to entice a town to host one.—
Krisztian Elcsics,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
-
As Jones informed Moore of the selection, the 6-foot-3, 198-pound outside corner made a bold proclamation to his new boss.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 May 2026
Verb
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At one point, Altman said Musk instructed Brockman and Ilya Sutskever, another OpenAI co-founder, to rank researchers and fire many of them.—
Ashley Capoot,
CNBC,
12 May 2026
-
Fans are being instructed to take public transportation, walk, or use ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft.—
Brandon Goldner,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
At the time, makeup artist Jazzy B revealed that the party included toys, slides and even a ball pit in several posts shared on Instagram.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
17 May 2026
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The marble bathroom with a deep soaking tub (and Natura Bisse amenities) is separated from the bedroom by a set of wooden shutters that can be opened to reveal the room and the outdoor view beyond, if desired.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
Many of the letters narrate his thoughts that were a strange mixture of fatalism and optimism.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 May 2026
-
Yesteryear is narrated by a woman named Natalie Heller Mills, a Ballerina Farm facsimile who is pregnant with her sixth child at the beginning of the novel, and whose pixel-perfect online life as @YesteryearRanch is essentially all a lie.—
Sophie Gilbert,
The Atlantic,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Thankfully, Kristine Froseth adds pep as a bimbo who hasn’t yet learned how to talk as leadenly as everyone else.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2026
-
At many such events in the past, people seated near me have talked throughout the concert.—
Maggie Penman,
Washington Post,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tell. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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