TELLING (ON) Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

telling (on)

verb

Definition of telling (on)

present participle of tell (on)

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

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

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for telling (on)

Verb

Mattel went through several rounds of layoffs over the course of 2025 and into 2026, ultimately affecting nearly 300 employees at the company’s El Segundo headquarters.

— Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2026
The president and his allies have warned that legal hurdles and uncertainty affecting key projects could dampen investor confidence.

— Martin K.N Siele, semafor.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of affecting

Verb

Being able to have the in-person connectivity with talking to your coworkers, being able to collaborate, is great and then also the larger programming of the company as a whole.

— Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
By then, despite the predictions, Callum was walking and talking.

— Deepa Fernandes, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of talking

Verb

During the Virgil Abloh years, fashion’s latest golden era reached far beyond its own bubble, influencing music, youth culture and the wider creative world.

— Alex Badia, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026
Ringham said the results may reflect how AI enthusiasm is influencing investors' short-term focus more than their long-term strategy.

— Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of influencing

Verb

There’s a slapstick nature to that place where there’s just stuff, and all the stuff is informing this great desire to just try things.

— Christine Werthman, Billboard, 5 Oct. 2026
These innovations point towards a future where transformers assist patients in informing them of risks with different types of medications.

— Esha Desai, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of informing

Verb

At 6-3, 255 pounds, Howell was one of several top pass rushers in the draft who was dinged for arm length but is already impressing with varied rushes through the first two weeks.

— PJ Green September 24, Kansas City Star, 24 Sep. 2026
The third-round pick out of USC was one of the stars of Ravens training camp, impressing in practices and scoring a touchdown in the team’s first preseason game.

— Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of impressing

Verb

Consequently, international gold prices experienced downward pressure, briefly touching their lowest level since August 5th during intraday trading.

— , CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
In a world where an internet search or an AI summary promises an instant answer, there is something seductive about an investigation that requires touching the evidence.

— Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of touching

Verb

In Belgium, meanwhile, students joined demonstrations alongside striking workers as the country's two largest labour unions staged a national strike on Friday, disrupting public transport, air travel and other sectors.

— Makini Brice, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
During the encounter, the Belgal pulled his vehicle forward before at least one officer fired seven rounds, striking him below his left ear, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a news conference near the shooting scene late Thursday.

— Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of striking

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.

Browse Nearby Words

telling off

telling (on)

tell (of)

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“Telling (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/telling%20%28on%29. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of telling (on)

verb

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