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 Our pro panel tells us that works out to about 1 ½ to 2 tablespoons of salt. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 June 2025 The percentage tells the public how much of the fire perimeter is believed to not go beyond the control lines. Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 7 June 2025 Burt Reynolds told Business Insider in 2016 that, like Pacino, he was offered and turned down the part. Mike Miller Published, EW.com, 7 June 2025 In 2024, a highly intoxicated passenger on an All Nippon Airways flight from Tokyo to Seattle reportedly bit a flight attendant in the arm an hour after takeoff, the Japanese airline told The Japan Times. Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 27 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for tell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tell
Verb
  • Hatfield did not say whether San Diego Pride had changed Kehlani’s contract as Gloria described.
    Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2025
  • And he was forever struck by the example of Peter’s family encouraging and challenging him — an approach that enabled Peter to work and ski and fish and live what Reid described as a normal life.
    Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • Shortly after, Kehl would fall to his death at a neighboring building — police have yet to say if the fall was intentional or accidental.
    Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 14 June 2025
  • Padilla said he got fed up listening to her remarks about criminals and invasions and tried to ask a question, while moving forward past the wall of television cameras.
    Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2025
Verb
  • Leaders count nearly 60,000 K-12 students who participated in last year’s programs.
    James Pollard, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2025
  • David Becker | Getty Images News | Getty Images BEIJING — Chinese companies are so intent on global expansion that even the biggest stock offering to date on Shanghai’s tech-heavy STAR board counts the U.S. as one of its biggest markets, on par with China.
    Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 12 June 2025
Verb
  • His mother informs Mel and his sister that their father will be out on day release but urges them not to share their address with him.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 June 2025
  • Different experiences inform a more complete understanding of the problem and potential solutions.
    Karlo Tanjuakio, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
Verb
  • But the next stage involves AIs which can perform specific actions, whether booking airline tickets or designing software, when instructed.
    Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 5 June 2025
  • An immigration attorney told ABC7 that individuals received a text instructing them to appear for a routine case review in the South Loop, only to be detained shortly after.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
Verb
  • Beyond the To-Do List Host Erik Fisher interviews productivity experts and practitioners, revealing the real-world tactics that help people achieve their goals and get things done.
    Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
  • Zooming in reveals a poor level of detail, while the colors look unnaturally bright.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 5 June 2025
Verb
  • Scenes from The Lion King, Peter Pan, The Little Mermaid, and more played across the water, narrated by Joy from Inside Out.
    Essence, Essence, 10 June 2025
  • That’s what makes Ocean with David Attenborough—the new documentary directed by Toby Nowlan and narrated by Sir David Attenborough—so powerful.
    Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
Verb
  • At one point, Chris Rock’s character, Rufus, is talking to Bethany about the difference between having a belief and having an idea.
    Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 7 June 2025
  • Barnard spoke Friday at a hearing of Democratic members of Congress and said some family members of the men had been able to talk to them Thursday.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Tell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tell. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.

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