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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Any benefit cuts, experts say, would more likely affect younger workers, those many years from retirement.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026 -
Meanwhile, employees at both DFW Airport and Love Field are collecting donations – including nonperishable food, hygiene items, baby supplies, and gas or grocery gift cards – to further support federal aviation workers affected by the shutdown.—
Lauren Crawford,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The married father of two sons, who had been on the force for seven months, was making his regular rounds and stopped at Circle K, spotting Teresa talking with a 16-year-old boy outside the store, according to court records.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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And, even then, maybe don’t talk to me.—
Jesse Eisenberg,
New Yorker,
30 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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For Iranian athletes who play in domestic-league games that aren’t broadcast internationally, the World Cup serves as a critical launchpad to impress international scouts.—
Albert Samaha,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2026
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Everyone in Washington’s lineup had at least one hit, and Foster Griffin impressed in his first MLB action since 2022.—
Danielle Allentuck,
Washington Post,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Its founding principles—informed by an environmentally-conscious ethos and values which ‘protect the islands, support local communities, and do business in a…fair and future-focused way,’ says Dixon—mirrored those at Nikoi, and still hold strong today.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
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These experiences eventually informed the vision behind The Tagline Group.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
31 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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In Joachim Trier's touching drama (which won the best international feature Oscar), Stellan Skarsgård stars as an aging filmmaker making a comeback movie inspired by his family.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
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The New York Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act would not only reduce plastic packaging, but also phase out 17 toxic chemicals and substances — including phthalates and bisphenols — that touches our food and beverages.—
Shanna Swan,
New York Daily News,
27 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 1 Apr. 2026.
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