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as in describes
to give an oral or written account of in some detail
they told the story of how they had met
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2
as in says
to express (a thought or emotion) in words
just tell us what is in your heart
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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?
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4
as in informs
to give information to
tell me, when did you begin playing the violin?
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5
as in instructs
to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority
told us to sit still and wait
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6
as in reveals
to make known (as information previously kept secret)
I won't tell your secret to anyone
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Thesaurus Entries Near tells
Cite this Entry
“Tells.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tells. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.
More from Merriam-Webster on tells
Nglish: Translation of tells for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of tells for Arabic Speakers
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