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
Relevance
2
as in says
to express (a thought or emotion) in words
just tell us what is in your heart
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
4
as in informs
to give information to
tell me, when did you begin playing the violin?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in instructs
to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority
told us to sit still and wait
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in reveals
to make known (as information previously kept secret)
I won't tell your secret to anyone
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tells
Jamie gives him a lethal stare and tells him to go away.
—
Lincee Ray, EW.com, 4 Jan. 2025
Killers Of The Flower Moon A brilliant, heartbreaking true story, Killers of the Flower Moon tells the story of the Osage people and the greedy men who try to rob them of their wealth after oil is discovered on their tribal lands.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025
Unrepentant, a new book by Peter Edwards, tells the story of Campbell—now in his 60s—from his violent upbringing and hard-partying ways, to a relentless dedication to the biker lifestyle.
—Max Ufberg, hazlitt.net, 4 Jan. 2025
By Monica Sager Live News Reporter 10 North Carolina Representative Virginia Foxx fell while walking down the marble staircase outside the House chamber, her communications team tells Newsweek.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 4 Jan. 2025
Final Thoughts As 2024 draws to a close, the year in energy tells a story of innovation and ongoing transformation.
—Robert Rapier, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
The Netflix movie, directed by Tyler Perry, tells the story of Adams Earley and her battalion's grit and resourcefulness during the mail sorting assignment.
—Laura A. Bischoff, The Enquirer, 24 Dec. 2024
Moving onto the finale, where Paul tells Jimmy to face his shame and fear with Alice.
—Jim Halterman, Variety, 24 Dec. 2024
Historic New Orleans Collection This is a museum, research center, and publisher that was founded in the 1960s and tells the story of New Orleans and the Gulf South through exhibitions, original texts, and its public research center.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 24 Dec. 2024
Lincee Ray, EW.com, 4 Jan. 2025
Killers Of The Flower Moon A brilliant, heartbreaking true story, Killers of the Flower Moon tells the story of the Osage people and the greedy men who try to rob them of their wealth after oil is discovered on their tribal lands.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025
Unrepentant, a new book by Peter Edwards, tells the story of Campbell—now in his 60s—from his violent upbringing and hard-partying ways, to a relentless dedication to the biker lifestyle.
—Max Ufberg, hazlitt.net, 4 Jan. 2025
By Monica Sager Live News Reporter 10 North Carolina Representative Virginia Foxx fell while walking down the marble staircase outside the House chamber, her communications team tells Newsweek.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 4 Jan. 2025
Final Thoughts As 2024 draws to a close, the year in energy tells a story of innovation and ongoing transformation.
—Robert Rapier, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
The Netflix movie, directed by Tyler Perry, tells the story of Adams Earley and her battalion's grit and resourcefulness during the mail sorting assignment.
—Laura A. Bischoff, The Enquirer, 24 Dec. 2024
Moving onto the finale, where Paul tells Jimmy to face his shame and fear with Alice.
—Jim Halterman, Variety, 24 Dec. 2024
Historic New Orleans Collection This is a museum, research center, and publisher that was founded in the 1960s and tells the story of New Orleans and the Gulf South through exhibitions, original texts, and its public research center.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 24 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tells
Verb
-
The term which gained traction in the 2010s, describes artists whose seemingly overnight success appears manufactured rather than earned.—
Carly Lewis-Oduntan,
refinery29.com,
13 Mar. 2025
-
Google’s post about this feature describes it as a way to help you tune hearing aids into audio broadcasts, but the technology has wider applications.—
Rob Pegoraro,
PCMAG,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
That philosophy informs every technology decision, from AI investments to platform upgrades.—
Peter High,
Forbes.com,
30 Mar. 2025
-
And when someone from that organization informs him that no one has printed out the petition he’s supposed to present to the governor in mere hours, he’s just pissed.—
Brenna Ehrlich,
Rolling Stone,
29 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The ninth commandment instructs us not to bear false witness.—
Mark Sandy,
TIME,
14 Mar. 2025
-
The other track instructs authorizing and revenue-raising committees to propose legislation that saves, spends, or generates revenues to match the budget resolution’s spending and revenue levels.—
Doug Criscitello,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Americans have strong thoughts on Christmas cookies, new Google Trends data reveals — and one cookie in particular has made spirits bright across many states.—
Christine Rousselle,
Fox News,
23 Dec. 2024
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The report reveals that the number of missing children may be even higher, as ICE did not issue Notices to Appear (NTAs) for 291,000 children, leaving them without court dates and outside the formal immigration system.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
This song anchors the album and also speaks to the current state of the world.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
24 Dec. 2024
-
President Biden speaks with members of his cabinet daily, and with most members multiple times a week, staying in close touch with them about implementation of key laws and strengthening our national security.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Continue reading … DO THIS, NOT THAT – Park ranger advises travelers at packed tourist site.—
FOXNews.com,
FOXNews.com,
31 Mar. 2025
-
Despite the benefits of fluoridation, it has been fiercely opposed by some since its inception, said Catherine Hayes, a Harvard dental expert who advises the American Dental Association on fluoride and has studied its use for three decades.—
Brett Kelman,
CNN Money,
29 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Neptune in Aries asks us bigger questions — what calls to you?—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
30 Mar. 2025
-
Neptune entering Aries asks you to surrender an outdated ego.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Liverpool don’t split out player wages separate to their main wage bill, and UEFA no longer discloses them in reports that once did, but based on previous information the club’s non-playing wage bill landed at 21 to 22 per cent of overall staff costs.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
The Athletic,
20 Mar. 2025
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Calpers, which discloses its stock holdings publicly, didn’t dispute the report.—
Bloomberg,
The Mercury News,
12 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tells.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tells. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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