TELL (ON) Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

tell (on)

verb

Definition of tell (on)

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Those findings affect the survivor benefits for which service members' families are eligible.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
Shifting donor priorities affect voter turnout groups The reasons for the troubled funding landscape are varied and at times unclear, according to nearly two dozen fundraisers and organizers who spoke with the AP.

— Matt Brown, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of affect

Verb

Most utility websites and apps still talk to every customer the same way.

— Amber Mullaney, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
One of the employees provided a recording of the meeting to The Star, in which Sanders is heard talking to three employees about the altercation and next steps for the business.

— Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of talk

Verb

The platform decides which content receives additional exposure, and that exposure can influence who discovers a creator and whether the creator’s audience grows.

— Sergi Cerrato, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
For the first time anyone could remember, an American administration had used tariffs not for economic reasons but as a tool to influence the internal politics of a friendly democracy.

— Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of influence

Verb

Instead, the shoes with Protro editions that are still wildly popular among players today have informed best practices that carry over, including collar height and offset from heel to toe.

— Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026
Antonelli hurriedly informed his race engineer, Peter Bonnington, who had been regularly reminding the Italian to adhere to track limits throughout the race and to look after his car.

— Luke Smith, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of inform

Verb

The third-round pick out of USC was one of the stars of Ravens training camp, impressing in practices and scoring a touchdown in the team’s first preseason game.

— Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
On the other side of the coin, Kadamus has been impressed with Marable’s play.

— Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of impress

Verb

Over a tight five-day timeline — as Marnus and Ilse finish school ahead of the December holidays, and the family prepares for their summer vacation — these various tensions impact one another in tacit but perhaps terminal ways.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026
But with the king issuing guidance that establishes the Sussexes firmly as private citizens, has the relationship been impacted for the worse?

— Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of impact

Verb

The ball first touches the ground, a player or anything else at a point nearer the opponent’s goal line than the passer’s hand.

— Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Shipstead’s electrifying novel spans decades and brings the period of early aviation to thrilling life, in the process touching on themes of women’s empowerment and struggle.

— David Faris, TheWeek, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of touch

Verb

Those concessions were not enough for Democrats, who sent a counteroffer late Monday to expand the ethics provision but were not able to strike a final deal.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026
And truly, now, does the idea of a modern Egyptian family having an underground pyramid in the backyard of their Aswan home strike you as any less pathetically misguided?

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of strike

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.

Browse Nearby Words

tell off

tell (on)

tells

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“Tell (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tell%20%28on%29. Accessed 21 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of tell (on)

verb

Example Sentences

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