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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Even a tablespoon or two less honey or molasses than your recipe calls for can throw off the balance of moisture and sweetness, affecting texture, flavor, and consistency.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
25 Oct. 2025 -
Fountain Hills to weigh proposed Charlie Kirk statue Are there concerns about how Kirk's death is affecting faith communities?—
Taylor Seely,
AZCentral.com,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Winnipeg media spent much of the morning skate talking to the Blackhawks and Jeff Blashill about Chicago’s defensive prowess.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
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The world too needs to be grateful that the two superpowers are talking like adults again, and with a one year trade truce in motion, are starting to take a more pragmatic path.—
Kerry Brown,
Time,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But critics question how her own business interests may also be influencing her advocacy for charter-friendly laws.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
30 Oct. 2025
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These 100 people represent the power of individuals to make significant progress in influencing the climate economy.—
TIME Staff,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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There were conversations about a young striker who was impressing at Southampton called Alan Shearer.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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Launching projects, impressing the public or seeking a better job could be auspicious.—
Kyle Thomas,
PEOPLE,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In all, the layoffs are impacting close to 100 CBS News staffers, according to sources familiar with the extent of the cuts.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
29 Oct. 2025
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Affected airlines include Aeromexico, Volaris, and Viva Aerobus, impacting flights to cities like Houston, Newark, and Austin.—
David Shepardson,
USA Today,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Magic is the ability to make someone smile or laugh or sing a tune without even touching them.—
Ilana Kaplan,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
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Everything about driving the EX30 came naturally, including adjusting to its one-pedal deceleration, which brought it to a predictable stop without my touching the brake pedal.—
Mark Phelan,
Freep.com,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Earlier this week, food benefit recipients received letters from the Department of Health Services informing them of FoodShare fund delays.—
Natalie Eilbert,
jsonline.com,
24 Oct. 2025
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When Hopkins received the call informing her of the university’s decision, she was stunned.—
Essence,
Essence,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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For now, though, the optics—and the irony— are striking.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
28 Oct. 2025
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From 2018 to 2021, Lauren Spors faced a number of charges for a series of violent incidents, including striking a manager at a coffee shop and throwing a rock through a window in an effort to break into her mother's house.—
David Clarey,
jsonline.com,
27 Oct. 2025
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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 1 Nov. 2025.
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