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
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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
-
Across the country, collections are popping up to help Transportation Security Administration officers who have been without full pay for more than a month due to the partial government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Mar. 2026 -
The mayor also expressed hope that the federal government will resolve ongoing funding issues affecting TSA workers.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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All four former presidents denied talking to Trump about the strikes to NBC News, however.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Leadership is not just the voice who’s talking.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The lawsuit accuses Shell of reneging on a deal involving a TV show but tells a much broader story of the government influencing Paramount’s business dealings.—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Marc Jacobs most notably embraced the style, influencing other contemporary labels like Coach to explore the look.—
Jasmine Fox-Suliaman,
InStyle,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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Successive punches of snow and wind were impacting the eastern half of the United States on Monday as severe weather swept across much of the nation, making roads impassable in the Upper Midwest and canceling more than 2,000 flights nationwide.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Here’s my Monday piece with details on a veteran offensive tackle added by the Dolphins on Monday, and a revelation impacting another aspect of their offensive line.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Green Bay Packers are doing some shuffling at cornerback by adding Benjamin St-Juste while informing Nate Hobbs of a plan to release him a year after signing him to the $48 million, four-year contract, according to two people with knowledge of the decisions.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Mar. 2026
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Carita Kim, a PUSD parent ambassador, was among those informing families about the program.—
Amy Stark Shireman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Everyone has their own lifting style — some channel anger and let out a guttural yell before touching the bar, others are into showmanship and encourage the crowd’s applause — but mine, while focused, is all smiles.—
Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Mar. 2026
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Schettone allegedly had a student from his third-grade class at Gulph Elementary School sit on his lap, where he is accused of inappropriately touching the child, according to police.—
Laura Fay,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Working with the firm Faulkner Architects, the homeowners ended up with a contemporary, angular abode that cuts a striking silhouette among the nearby rolling hills.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
20 Mar. 2026
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Since then, Malia has steadily delivered an evolving repertoire of music rooted in her striking vocals and vivid storytelling that has often been lifted from the pages of her journal.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
20 Mar. 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 23 Mar. 2026.
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