telling (on)

verb

Definition of telling (on)next
present participle of tell (on)
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)
  1. affecting
  2. talking
  3. influencing
  4. informing
  5. impressing
  6. impacting
  7. touching
  8. striking
Verb
  • Bonta said the new law responds to a climate of intimidation affecting immigrant aid workers.
    — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Meanwhile, a Goldman Sachs report indicates AI's impact on employment is currently limited, primarily affecting entry-level positions and specific sectors like call centers, showing slower job growth since 2022.
    — Gene Marks, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of affecting
Verb
  • The term first went viral thanks to a resurfaced clip of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum Yolanda Hadid talking to her then-teenage, now-supermodel daughter, Gigi Hadid.
    — Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 22 Aug. 2026
  • The victim was conscious, breathing and talking when taken to Community Regional Medical Center.
    — Bob Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of talking
Verb
  • Founders will notice hesitation, enthusiasm, chemistry, confidence, uncertainty, who’s influencing the room, whether the customer is actually excited.
    — Alison Coleman, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • How Craig plays will go a long way in influencing TCU’s entire season.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of influencing
Verb
  • His wife later reportedly received a letter from World Vision informing her that his donation helped restore the vision of two people.
    — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Manson’s death was met with strong reactions from the family members of his victims, who were contacted by prison officials informing them of the mass murderer’s passing.
    — Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of informing
Verb
  • Goalkeeper Carl Rushworth, a permanent signing this summer after impressing last season on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion, tends to pass short in open play but hits most goal kicks long.
    — Liam Tharme, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Born in Terre Haute, Indiana, John signed with the Cleveland Indians, now the Cleveland Guardians, at the age of 18 after impressing the team with his curveball.
    — Lucia I Suarez Sang, CBS News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of impressing
Verb
  • About eight fights broke out throughout the two-hour session, significantly impacting the ability of either team to get in as much quality work as expected.
    — Jon Machota, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • This comes amid other challenges impacting student loan programs, including new PSLF rules, miscalculated IDR plan payments, and application backlogs.
    — Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of impacting
Verb
  • Federal prohibition still locks plant-touching brands out of Meta, Google, most broadcast and print channels, and, sometimes, even basic financial plumbing.
    — Peter Su, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Fans have gone crazy for the track online, which has been touching for the Housewife to take in.
    — McKinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of touching
Verb
  • The crowd points their phones at the pair, who are alternating between short dances, rhythmic movements, and striking poses.
    — Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Oliver then cited how the Department of Transportation has two open investigations into Waymo, which is featured in the series, including for striking a child in the vicinity of a school.
    — Marlow Stern, Variety, 24 Aug. 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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Cite this Entry

“Telling (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/telling%20%28on%29. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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