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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But those programs run up against systemic challenges and the health conditions that disproportionately affect Black women, according to Montgomery.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026 -
People affected by the water main break can get clean water at two different water filling stations in Upper Chichester and Marcus Hook.—
Tom Ignudo,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Miami Herald talked to 10 lawn care companies about how the change will affect their work.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2026
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When Sahelian countries tried to talk to their insurgents, France fiercely opposed it.—
Obi Anyadike,
semafor.com,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Both heavily influenced Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure law and the Build Back Better Act, centered on the economy and clean energy, though their powers were notably leveraged to the max under a 50-50 Democratic majority.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Mar. 2026
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That’s how a ghost finishes its unfinished business—by influencing what comes next for the living.—
JD Barker,
Rolling Stone,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Darling's toughness and resilience have immediately impressed his teammates in his first year in Queens after previous stops at Washington State and Idaho State.—
CBS New York Team,
CBS News,
23 Mar. 2026
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But what impresses Auriemma the most is Quinonez’s maturity, especially in how quickly she’s adapted to a brand new style of basketball.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Presidents have historically leaned on their national security officials to inform the public about their wars.—
Eleanor Mueller,
semafor.com,
25 Mar. 2026
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When Jobs returned to Apple after the first demo, he was crisply informed by Raskin that he’d been had — PARC had withheld from him most of its most innovative work.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Authorities say large portions of concrete are impacting both sides of the freeway.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
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It’s impacted by several factors.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Some people play college ball and never touch March Madness.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Mar. 2026
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Pilgrims have long journeyed here and to and other nearby sites to see and touch places associated with Jesus’ life.—
Sarah Kozlowski,
Dallas Morning News,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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One of the teens was grazed by a bullet on his face, while the other was struck in his left hand, police said.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
27 Mar. 2026
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Child injured in shooting Police said a bullet struck the child in his right leg, and he was rushed to a nearby hospital.—
Adi Guajardo,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 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 27 Mar. 2026.
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