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 Because the pursuit and search took place near the Fairgrounds, law enforcement sent out an emergency alert, telling people the Fairgrounds were closed due to police activity in the area. Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 10 Sep. 2025 Good Boy Ben Leonberg’s Good Boy, which comes to Oldenburg from SXSW, is a supernatural horror told entirely from the perspective of Indy, a loyal Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever who senses there are forces lurking in the dark shadows of his owner’s home. Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025 Among more than 20 originals coming out this year on the platform is Hindi-language drama Real Kashmir Football Club, which seeks to tell the story of two men who built Kashmir’s first professional men’s football club. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2025 In fact, a source told Page Six in 2023 that Baena has a good relationship with his father, but not with his half-siblings. Martha Ross, Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tell
Verb
  • But the shift may be broader, as newsrooms both describe a cultural shift and, at least in some cases, embody it.
    Max Tani, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The panel studying those cases released a report last year describing how the state child welfare agency missed warning signs and failed to protect dozens of children from dying of the illicit drug.
    Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Kaivan Shroff, a 2024 delegate for Harris, said the former vice president has the right to tell the story of her campaign, as does Biden, who has conducted a few interviews and speeches since leaving office.
    Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Cox said there was no information leading authorities to believe there was a second person involved.
    Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Teams had been 53-0 since 2000, counting playoffs, when leading by 15 points and taking possession with 8-10 minutes left in regulation, per TruMedia.
    Mike Sando, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The mark of a brilliant director might be counted on how many actors get their moments in smaller roles, and this film is full of them, notably Steve Coulter in for one memorable scene as a seatmate whose nose cold causes consternation for Liz at a dinner party.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But maybe you guys should've informed your employees to inform your guests in person or made an announcement in person before posting it on social media.
    Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Wu hasn’t worked with his source material in a literal way; rather, Rauschenberg’s collages have informed his approach to the collection, which is built around classic American style.
    Vogue Runway, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Bondi also instructed the board to reinstate the previous criteria that Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued in a 2018 case referred to as Matter of A-B-, per WSJ.
    Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The monitors helped study participants needs such as food and restroom breaks, but the monitors were instructed not to provide any therapy to avoid influencing the study's results.
    Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But a butt dial revealed the truth about what actually happened, the complaint alleges.
    KC Baker, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Alongside this, large-scale genetic studies have revealed sweeping changes in the human brain that are not seen in other mammals.
    Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In 2022, the actor narrated a video for Joe Biden's inauguration anniversary, touting his administration's accomplishments.
    Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Her audiobook was narrated by an AI version of her voice.
    Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Crunch talks The industry split on this issue comes as auto bosses prepare to meet the EU’s von der Leyen on Friday.
    Sam Meredith, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
  • What To Include In Your Martial Conversations When talking to legal counsel, be as specific as possible.
    Michael Gargiulo, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Tell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tell. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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