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
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Ir remains to be seen, though, how many legislatures will follow, and whether the outburst of mid-decade redistricting will extend down to county commissions, city councils and school boards that make myriad decisions affecting people's lives.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 June 2026 -
In 2023, the city began issuing citations to anyone found along the corridor with fire-starting equipment, trash that threatened local habitats or camping gear affecting the flow of water.—
Hannah Elsmore,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 June 2026
Verb
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My mother opens the balcony door and starts hanging up underpants, talking to the guests with her back to them.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
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The hottest new social activity is not talking Silent reading clubs are giving like-minded bookworms a brain boost.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
Verb
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The team is just starting to assess cultural, socio-economic, political and other factors that may be influencing the differences, but Worthington said the biggest surprise in the data to him was that a number of the countries on the high end have endured profound collective strain.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 June 2026
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Ricardi, whom the complaint identifies as the lead special agent on the case, is accused of helping secure the indictment, testifying before the grand jury, assisting prosecutors throughout the trial, and influencing major decisions in the prosecution.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
8 June 2026
Verb
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Later Tuesday, Loboa sent an email to the DU community informing them about the academic realignment, a message that listed data and documents used to make the restructuring decisions.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
9 June 2026
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Employees who work at the New Labor Agency Building, at O and 9th streets, were also sent memos informing them that the building does not have sufficient space to accommodate all employees in offices four days a week.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
9 June 2026
Verb
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As children mature, parents (and society at large) prepare them for adulthood by impressing upon them the fact that their actions have consequences, and their agency increases.—
Ted Chiang,
The Atlantic,
3 June 2026
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When a female of the species shows up to check out a male’s fancy digs, the male tosses his shiniest objects in her direction and shows off his plumage in hopes of impressing her.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
2 June 2026
Verb
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Process automation and technology (PA & T) remains a second-half-of-the-year story due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, impacting shipments and delaying upgrades.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
8 June 2026
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Countless fans have taken to social media with similar issues, but some were too nervous to talk with WBZ-TV on camera for fear of it impacting their status.—
Mike Sullivan,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
Verb
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Siri carried out this choreography without the user ever touching an app.—
Eric Sullivan,
Scientific American,
9 June 2026
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But as is fitting for a filmmaker pushing 80, awestruck innocence now co-exists with a more ruminative maturity, especially when touching on the secrecy, manipulation and deception of governmental power.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Those vibes were in full flow on Friday, with the difference between the two sides striking on the eve of the final.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
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There has been striking growth in China’s rocket body mass.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
29 May 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 12 Jun. 2026.
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