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
-
The Los Angeles and Long Beach unified school districts, the county’s two largest districts, do not use LACOE’s portal for electronic tax documents and their employees were not affected, according to those districts.—
Jason Henry,
Daily News,
18 Apr. 2026 -
Ashley — who is also the mother of two daughters, Alice and Yrsa — described how the tragedy has affected their family.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Reis talked her way onto a crew member’s unofficial salvage expedition.—
Julian Lucas,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
His content is best known for his spontaneous interactions, such as stopping to talk with strangers on the roadside or offering impromptu taxi services.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In the still-life composition, a cheeky visual lesson on the collision and convergence of cultures, the jar holds flowers, cactus and edible Mexican treats influenced by Chinese and Filipino flavors.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The film explores the glamour and corruption of mid-’80s Miami in an all-new version of Miami Vice, inspired by the pilot episode and first season of the landmark Universal Television series that influenced culture and set the style in everything from fashion to filmmaking.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Jess Park Given Toone’s absence, Park will be disappointed not to be handed a start against Spain or Iceland, with Kendall and Blindkilde Brown handed opportunities to impress.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2026
-
In a group photo from Sunday, April 19, the teens stood between their parents before heading off to prom, both dressed to impress for the night out.—
Georgia Slater,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Williams said that the new results can help inform the experimental design for these future missions.—
Leonard David,
Space.com,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The fans who experience it smoothly will be the ones who planned early, stayed informed and adapted their expectations to the realities of hosting an event of this scale.—
Taylor Haught,
Kansas City Star,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Experts say that with this kind of terrain, water can move quickly, and changes in one place can impact wells miles away.—
Elaine Rojas-Castillo,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
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For its part, the restaurant said the decision to lay off 16 hosts and servers was motivated by shifts impacting its industry.—
Alex Greenberger,
ARTnews.com,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The peas must not touch the potatoes.—
Jean Garnett,
New Yorker,
18 Apr. 2026
-
UseLois never touches Social Security numbers, bank accounts or wiring info — that data doesn’t enter our system.—
Sandra Barrera,
Oc Register,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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With officers trailing behind, the suspect sped through a red light, nearly striking cross traffic at an intersection.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
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This two-piece strikes the right balance between casual and stylish.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
17 Apr. 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 24 Apr. 2026.
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