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
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This move highlights vulnerabilities in the technology supply chain, affecting automakers like Honda, which halted production at a Mexican factory.—
Boston Herald Wire Services,
Boston Herald,
8 Nov. 2025 -
Another key finding of the study was that nearly all populations reached record levels of homelessness, affecting families with children, individuals, people staying in unsheltered or sheltered locations, and unaccompanied youth.—
Sophia Arndt,
Twin Cities,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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In the next few years, the study says workers will be talking to their phones or laptops, instead of typing, thanks to the explosion of AI.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
7 Nov. 2025
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Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more!—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Its impact extended into influencing tank design worldwide.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Nov. 2025
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He was placed in charge of managing cross-functional teams and influencing product direction at scale.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Restaurants such as Jacques and Noisette were impressing diners with caviar, duck and baguettes.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
30 Dec. 2025
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Parents might also consider that their teen could be removing body hair in the hopes of impressing a crush, which is why this also could be an opening to talk about safe sex and reproductive health.—
Liz Regalia,
Parents,
27 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Democrats also secured a substantial advantage with California's Proposition 50 redistricting measure, potentially impacting House control in 2026.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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All this comes as experts continue to sound the alarm over the prospect of food insecurity impacting millions.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Starmer wrote Sheeran, informing him about the changes to the National Curriculum.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
5 Nov. 2025
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At Ikhrata’s final SANDAG board meeting before his December 2023 resignation — barely an hour after he was celebrated for his years of service — the former CEO accepted responsibility for not informing the board sooner.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Participants were asked to move their fingers gently through sand to find a cube hidden beneath the surface, without touching it first.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Nov. 2025
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What followed quickly went beyond retaliation and was touching civilians in an unexpected, escalating way.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Despite the 12-day Israeli war on Iran last summer, figures on all sides of the political spectrum came together in a rare show of unity, denouncing Israel for striking their country.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
7 Jan. 2026
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Spot striking tropical flowers, colorful birds, and perhaps even a monkey in the forest canopy around the cascades.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Telling (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/telling%20%28on%29. Accessed 8 Jan. 2026.
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