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
-
Driving through deep water can also negatively affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 June 2026 -
On March 1 of this year, the Qatari soccer federation postponed all matches during the ongoing war between Israel and Iran while other sporting events in the region were also affected.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
Paul DiPierro and Scott Ostrander, owners of adjacent restaurant Origami Asian Grill, encouraged Pruner to talk to the landlord when the space vacated.—
Sean Timberlake,
Sacbee.com,
9 June 2026
-
My mother opens the balcony door and starts hanging up underpants, talking to the guests with her back to them.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
But Steyer may have hit a ceiling in the amount his ads could influence voter behavior.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
10 June 2026
-
Several factors can influence a man’s likelihood of developing the potentially deadly disease, including age, a family history of breast cancer and being overweight, the CDC says.—
Lianne Kolirin,
CNN Money,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Later Tuesday, Loboa sent an email to the DU community informing them about the academic realignment, a message that listed data and documents used to make the restructuring decisions.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
9 June 2026
-
Employees who work at the New Labor Agency Building, at O and 9th streets, were also sent memos informing them that the building does not have sufficient space to accommodate all employees in offices four days a week.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
The original, penned by Robin Schiff and directed by David Mirkin, cast Sorvino and Kudrow as Romy and Michele, two inseparable airheads who hit the road to attend their 10th high school reunion with a plan to lie about their successful careers to impress their classmates.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
8 June 2026
-
The bumblebee continues to impress him.—
Ari Daniel,
NPR,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
And the indie is committed to connecting writers and editors who’ve been impacted by the carceral system with those who have not.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
The communities impacted by the thunderstorm included Gallatin, Maysville, Pattonsburg, Winston, Altamont, Coffey, Jameson, Weatherby, Amity, Fairport, and Santa Rosa.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
The batter just running to the mound right after touching first base?—
Zach Dean,
FOXNews.com,
12 June 2026
-
Hopkins also touches on Prime Video’s channels business, AI, Amazon MGM’s approach to theatrical film and — of course — the future of James Bond.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
This photo provided by Kylie Rouse shows the remnants of Shane and Jimmie Tipton's home in Unionville, Missouri, on June 10, 2026, after a tornado struck.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
-
South Africa was reduced to nine men after Themba Zwane struck Álvarado off the ball.—
Eduard Cauich,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
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.
Cite this Entry
“Tell (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tell%20%28on%29. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
