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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of tells
In short, the new material can be thought of as a smart, rubbery material that tells you when it’s stressed out by literally changing color.
—
Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 14 Sep. 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, 14 Sep. 2025
But Eklund tells Fortune even that isn’t needed.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2025
The film tells two parallel stories about two identical women; one living in Poland, the other in France.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 14 Sep. 2025
Research in attachment theory tells us that people with anxious attachment tendencies often monitor signs of availability and care in their partners.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
The movie tells the true story of Joe Scaravella, played by actor-producer Vince Vaughn, his restaurant Enoteca Maria and its staff of nonnas.
—Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
Tatum, 45, tells USA TODAY in an interview a day later alongside co-star Kirsten Dunst.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025
RuPaul's Drag Race season 5 queen Alaska won the All Stars 2 crown — and now a ring from partner Matthew Herrmann, whom the drag superstar exclusively tells Entertainment Weekly proposed to her Sunday night in her hometown of Erie, Pa.
—EW.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 14 Sep. 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, 14 Sep. 2025
But Eklund tells Fortune even that isn’t needed.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2025
The film tells two parallel stories about two identical women; one living in Poland, the other in France.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 14 Sep. 2025
Research in attachment theory tells us that people with anxious attachment tendencies often monitor signs of availability and care in their partners.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
The movie tells the true story of Joe Scaravella, played by actor-producer Vince Vaughn, his restaurant Enoteca Maria and its staff of nonnas.
—Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
Tatum, 45, tells USA TODAY in an interview a day later alongside co-star Kirsten Dunst.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025
RuPaul's Drag Race season 5 queen Alaska won the All Stars 2 crown — and now a ring from partner Matthew Herrmann, whom the drag superstar exclusively tells Entertainment Weekly proposed to her Sunday night in her hometown of Erie, Pa.
—EW.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tells
Verb
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The term describes the conscious decision to avoid or renounce managerial roles in order to preserve mental health, maintain balance and prioritize meaningful work.—
Jose Luis Gonzalez Rodriguez,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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The neural pathways that Wolf describes, those deep reading circuits built through sustained attention to text, are the same ones that enable complex reasoning, empathy, and the kind of patient thinking that democracy requires.—
Jessica Ewing
September 15,
Literary Hub,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Jones says Southwest has a plan to close the gap.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
YouTube says the rollout will happen over the coming weeks and that support for more AI dubs in different languages will be added over time.—
Will McCurdy,
PC Magazine,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Each text counts as one vote, with a limit of 10 votes per couple via SMS.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Every action counts, whether reducing HFCs, investing in sustainable cooling, or holding governments accountable for climate commitments.—
Dianne Plummer,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Its latest event further informs what Felita Harris and her team set out to do with the non-profit organization that was founded in 2020.—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
10 Sep. 2025
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Neuroscience informs us that habits and pathways established early tend to dominate later performance; the same is true in corporate culture.—
Ken Polk,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The order also instructs IDPH to publish its own, accessible vaccine guidance to the public, support school vaccination efforts, and work with local health departments, community health centers, disability organizations, and rural providers to encourage vaccination on a larger scale statewide.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
16 Sep. 2025
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The will instructs heirs to sell a 15% stake in the Italian fashion house within 18 months and later transfer an additional stake to the same buyer between three and five years after his death, or pursue an initial public offering, the news agency said, citing the will.—
Robert Birsel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Elon Musk reveals $1 billion stock purchase of Tesla.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
16 Sep. 2025
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The reliance on older tanks pulled from storage, refurbs, and export/show models being re-routed for combat reveals pressures on the Russian armored force structure.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Pankiw in her doc also recounts how Lilith Fair after its first year for its second and third summer festival runs added rap and R&B artists like Missy Elliot, Neneh Cherry and Erykah Badu following criticism over a too-white event.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Sep. 2025
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In the new two-part Netflix docuseries aka Charlie Sheen, the 60-year-old actor recounts an intervention his family organized under the guise of a 50th birthday party for his father, Martin Sheen.—
Lizzie Hyman,
PEOPLE,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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That Tory commands such high wattage front row attendees speaks to how much her brand and fashion resonates with women.—
Blue Carreon,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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In Virginia, Democratic gubernatorial nominee Abigail Spanberger speaks Spanish in a radio ad about being a mother of three girls who attended public school.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tells.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tells. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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