1
as in affecting
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 talking
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 telling (on)
Verb
-
In the face of this uncertainty, companies and other organizations are preparing for a world in which the conflict — and subsequent jolt to crude prices — becomes a long-term challenge, affecting everything from travel planning to mail delivery.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
30 Mar. 2026 -
Also affecting Kosovo's economic situation has been a prolonged political crisis that left the country without a fully functioning government for much of last year.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
But our cast from Hunting Wives happened to be at the party, and there was Ted talking to them and taking selfies.—
Lacey Rose,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Social factors influencing Sam’s health included social isolation, missing school, and falling behind socially and academically as a result.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
24 Mar. 2026
-
But it’s considered the international gold standard, often influencing safety rules around the world.—
Avi Asher-Schapiro,
ProPublica,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
After impressing with five strikeouts in six innings in his first two outings for the Yankees this spring, Rodriguez went off to join Puerto Rico in the WBC and dominated with three scoreless innings in his start against Cuba last Monday.—
Bill Madden,
New York Daily News,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Some of these pitchers impressing in the spring are actually in the midst of what will be a breakout season.—
Eno Sarris,
New York Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
From extreme heat and wildfire smoke to asthma and utility costs, climate change is already impacting our everyday lives.—
CBS LA Staff,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Saudi officials equally didn’t offer up much new information on how the biggest conflict in the region in decades, and the consequent closure of vital oil and shipping routes, was impacting the kingdom’s economy.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
After the collision, the controller could be heard calling out to Flight 8646, informing the crew that assistance was on the way.—
Colleen Mondor,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The Cubs also finalized their opening-day pitching staff Monday by optioning right-hander Javier Assad to Triple-A Iowa and informing right-hander Ben Brown that he will be used out of the bullpen.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Higher energy prices are also expected to widen India’s current account deficit, which has contributed to a weakening of the local currency, with the rupee touching record lows in recent days.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
24 Mar. 2026
-
But to get them there, those antiprotons will have to avoid touching anything on the way.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Officers broke down the door to Taylor's apartment, and her then-current boyfriend Kenneth Walker, who thought someone was breaking into the home, fired one shot with a handgun, striking an officer in the leg.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Its striking color originated from the steel beams being coated with a red lead primer.—
Lauren Schuster,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 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
“Telling (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/telling%20%28on%29. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
