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

That tells you everything about the disconnect people are feeling. —Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards, Mercury News, 7 May 2026

District 8 needs a leader who works with the community, tells the truth and delivers real results, not political deals or insider arrangements. —David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026

The film tells the story of a married couple. —Nuria Hernández, Vanity Fair, 7 May 2026

Hannah Berner’s lower back is finally starting to recover following a travel-packed past few years, the comedian tells me over Zoom. —Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 7 May 2026

But the available data tells a more complicated story. —Jennifer Hansler, CNN Money, 7 May 2026

As José tells it, Juan walked into the building all those years ago. —Kansas City Star, 7 May 2026

My trusty old Farmer’s Almanac tells me May 4 is the average date for a spring frost along the Lake Michigan shoreline; in interior Lake County, such as in Lake Villa, on average, April 30. —Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026

Remarkably Bright Creatures Netflix, May 8 Shelby Van Pelt’s heartwarming bestseller tells the story of a 70-year-old widow who forms a bond with a giant octopus—who just might unearth a secret that will change her life. —Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 30 Apr. 2026