1
as in to affect
to act upon (a person or a person's feelings) so as to cause a response
the pressure of final exams is beginning to tell on the students in the dorm
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to talk
to give information (as to the authorities) about another's improper or unlawful activities
detectives convinced the perpetrators in custody to tell on their associates
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tell (on)
Verb
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The disruptions led to thousands of flight delays and cancellations, while hospitals, banks and other businesses around the world were also affected.—
Megan Cerullo,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026 -
Prominent leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention have come to the church's defense, arguing that compassion for migrant families affected by the crackdown cannot justify violating a sacred space during worship.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Brandon asked her out the next day, and the pair spent hours talking on a Ferris wheel during their first date.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
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People with respiratory viruses who have high-risk conditions or who live in households with high-risk individuals should talk to their healthcare professional about taking antiviral medications to treat the virus or prevent transmission.—
Jack Perry,
The Providence Journal,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The cruise retailer says that 92% of guests intend to shop at sea, and 87% are influenced by storytelling.—
Kevin Rozario,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
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Scientists already knew that spaceflight could affect the brain, but this study is among the first to document how those shifts influence how astronauts function in space and back on Earth.—
Chas Newkey-Burden,
TheWeek,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The events for the most part are casual, though Nimrod says some do come dressed to impress depending on the occasion.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
7 Jan. 2026
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Noussair Mazraoui and Luke Shaw have also impressed playing in a central three.—
Chris McKenna,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Several speakers said their concern was less about state law itself and more about communication, questioning whether parents would be informed when their child seeks services.—
Nina Burns,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
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Sources close to Cangé, who was promoted to his job without going through the normal police leadership channels, claim that he was informed by his supporters on the presidential council that the summons had been canceled.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Regulatory initiatives across Europe, have impacted perspectives on product design, operational processes, and lifecycle management.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
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There was a $302 million reserve build in the quarter, which negatively impacted earnings compared to the third-quarter release.—
,
CNBC,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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South Korean officials have said that Lee and Takaichi would likely touch on the tensions between China and Japan on Lee’s two-day visit.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
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Visitors can also view and touch snakes displayed by the San Diego Herpetological Society, take photos inside a replica eagle nest in the art barn and visit informational booths from local wildlife organizations.—
Regina Elling,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Crosby struck 15 seconds after that, deflecting a pass from the slot into the net.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
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Tragedy struck in 2009 when the De Angelis group's founder died in a car crash.—
Giacomo Tognini,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Tell (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tell%20%28on%29. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
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