Synonyms of tells

tells

verb

present tense third-person singular of tell

1

as in describes

to give an oral or written account of in some detail

they told the story of how they had met

Synonyms & Similar Words

• describes
• recounts
• narrates
• relates
• chronicles
• reports
• recites
• details
• depicts
• charts
• sets forth
• reveals
• states
• voices
• rehearses
• discloses
• expresses
• gives
• utters
• enumerates
• exposes
• delivers
• divulges
• itemizes
• renders
• delineates
• reels off
• particularizes
• bares
• sketches
• lets on (about)

2

as in says

to express (a thought or emotion) in words

just tell us what is in your heart

Synonyms & Similar Words

• says
• speaks
• utters
• talks
• discusses
• shares
• articulates
• announces
• states
• gives
• verbalizes
• puts
• publishes
• shouts
• enunciates
• brings out
• vocalizes
• passes
• proclaims
• affirms
• declares
• looks
• whispers
• asserts
• puts into words
• posts
• voices
• advertises
• blurts
• sounds
• alleges
• publicizes
• ventilates
• promulgates
• airs
• formulates
• avers
• breathes
• avows
• words
• gets off
• broadcasts
• chirps
• murmurs
• blabbers
• mouths
• gasps
• drawls
• remarks
• comments
• shoots
• blazes
• vents
• lips
• spouts
• purrs
• clothes
• snarls
• phrases
• bolts
• rips (out)
• pipes up (with)
• formulizes
• splutters
• avouches
• couches

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• suppresses
• stifles

3

as in counts

to find the sum of (a collection of things) by noting each one as it is being added

who can tell the number of grains of sand in the world?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• counts
• computes
• calculates
• enumerates
• numbers
• checks
• recounts
• adds (up)
• tables
• tabulates
• tallies
• marks
• reckons
• totals
• ticks (off)

4

as in informs

to give information to

tell me, when did you begin playing the violin?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• informs
• advises
• instructs
• teaches
• briefs
• educates
• notifies
• apprises
• enlightens
• familiarizes
• acquaints
• clues (in)
• clears
• alerts
• fills in
• verses
• convinces
• catches up
• hips
• reassures
• assures
• advertises
• lets someone know
• wises (up)
• keeps (someone) posted
• discloses (to)
• announces (to)
• lectures
• certifies
• schools
• warrants
• tutors
• disabuses
• disillusions
• disenchants
• undeceives

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• misleads
• misinforms

5

as in instructs

to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority

told us to sit still and wait

Synonyms & Similar Words

• instructs
• asks
• orders
• commands
• directs
• begs
• advises
• warns
• enjoins
• bosses (around)
• bids
• requires
• appoints
• adjures
• requests
• charges
• compels
• authorizes
• beseeches
• entreats
• assigns
• petitions
• obliges
• supervises
• forces
• leads
• manages
• counsels
• oversees
• controls
• constrains
• conducts
• coerces
• superintends
• commissions

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• follows
• minds
• obeys
• observes
• keeps
• complies (with)

6

as in reveals

to make known (as information previously kept secret)

I won't tell your secret to anyone

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reveals
• discloses
• discovers
• uncovers
• announces
• exposes
• divulges
• shares
• unveils
• unmasks
• spills
• bares
• brings to light
• confides
• lets on (about)
• proclaims
• publishes
• leaks
• goes public (with)
• informs
• declares
• acknowledges
• confesses
• advertises
• spills the beans (about)
• unbosoms
• uncloaks
• lets the cat out of the bag (about)
• relates
• betrays
• debunks
• admits
• owns
• promulgates
• imparts
• publicizes
• unearths
• communicates
• posts
• concedes
• brings out
• shows up
• talks
• blabs
• sounds
• broadcasts
• gives away
• avows
• unclothes
• blazes
• undrapes
• squeals
• rakes up
• smokes out
• disinters
• placards

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• covers (up)
• conceals
• hides
• masks
• enshrouds
• cloaks
• camouflages
• disguises
• shrouds
• veils
• obscures
• glosses (over)
• gilds
• overshadows
• darkens
• varnishes
• eclipses
• whitewashes
• shades
• beclouds
• clouds
• overcasts
• bedims
• befogs

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of tells

Just like 2024, the top three airports remain the same, which isn’t surprising, Taylor tells CNBC Make It. —Celia Fernandez, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2025

From a vintage painting discovered in a shop to a child’s colorful sketch, each piece tells a story and adds warmth to your home. —Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Oct. 2025

Preaching forgiveness before safety or submission without equality tells survivors to endure rather than escape. —Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025

That version — ‘El Pendón Estrellado’ — tells the exact same story, word for word in meaning, and is set to the exact same melody. —Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 19 Oct. 2025

This Stephen King adaptation stars Thomas Jane, Marcia Gay Harden and Andre Braugher and tells the story of a small group of people in Bridgton, Maine who meet in a supermarket to find supplies after a thunderstorm and start to notice an eerie mist cloaking the presence of monsters among them. —Emma Specter, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2025

Rensch tells Fortune they were routinely overlooked and disregarded. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2025

This low-budget modern classic tells the terrifying tale of a mother, her son, and a freaky picture book that just won't go away, creating the kind of atmospheric chaos that takes up residence in your head forever. —Gwen Ihnat, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Oct. 2025

The percentage tells the public how much of the fire perimeter is believed to not go beyond the control lines. —Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 13 Oct. 2025