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
Lots of the amenities, though (like the custom newspaper that tells you what to do in the area), are designed for self-sufficient guests.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Feb. 2026
The real estate industry tells a similar, if less pronounced, story.
—Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026
And if history tells us anything, her co-sign alone is enough to propel a hairstyle straight into trend territory.
—Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 26 Feb. 2026
Just a few blocks away, Pasteleria Gama tells a similar story.
—Ubah Ali, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
Charley tells Craig how Salley makes everything worse for them, and Craig is also faceless, neckless, elbowless, and senseless.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026
People often label dairy foods as unhealthy because of their cholesterol content, but research tells a more nuanced story.
—Brandi Jones, Verywell Health, 26 Feb. 2026
The city’s own Alternative Enforcement Program list tells a similar story.
—Kenny Burgos, New York Daily News, 26 Feb. 2026
The look tells us where style might go next – a more nuanced conversation.
—Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Feb. 2026
The real estate industry tells a similar, if less pronounced, story.
—Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026
And if history tells us anything, her co-sign alone is enough to propel a hairstyle straight into trend territory.
—Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 26 Feb. 2026
Just a few blocks away, Pasteleria Gama tells a similar story.
—Ubah Ali, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
Charley tells Craig how Salley makes everything worse for them, and Craig is also faceless, neckless, elbowless, and senseless.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026
People often label dairy foods as unhealthy because of their cholesterol content, but research tells a more nuanced story.
—Brandi Jones, Verywell Health, 26 Feb. 2026
The city’s own Alternative Enforcement Program list tells a similar story.
—Kenny Burgos, New York Daily News, 26 Feb. 2026
The look tells us where style might go next – a more nuanced conversation.
—Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tells
Verb
-
Yet in the climate Tracey describes, nuance dissolves quickly.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Mar. 2026
-
About two thirds of the way through the memoir, Merrill describes a visit his mother Helen pays him in Rome.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The producers—and hair and costume designers—also spent hours studying Carolyn's look for the park fight scene, Simpson says.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
27 Feb. 2026
-
China says that these groups help people with everyday tasks like applying for drivers’ licences.—
Rebecca Wright,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
For example, if a state first counts votes cast in person on Election Day, followed by mail-in votes, that suggests that an early Republican lead may narrow as more mail ballots are tabulated.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 Mar. 2026
-
The race will also be an early test for the pro-AI regulation group Public Action First, which counts Anthropic among its donors.—
Emily Wilkins,
CNBC,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
And that informs the character.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Feb. 2026
-
That special relationship informs how Coogler moves through the industry today.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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If the department verifies a high-risk situation, the bill instructs it to assign the case as Priority I, meaning the child is in immediate danger or in a life-threatening situation, and DHW takes action immediately, according to department guidelines outlined in the Idaho Child Protection Manual.—
Shannon Tyler,
Idaho Statesman,
27 Feb. 2026
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Falcinelli’s lawyers allege the manufacturer that makes the leg-hobble restraints that North Miami Beach police use — Ripp International Restraints — clearly instructs its customers not to use them to hog-tie an individual.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The book also reveals the fourth ballot had to be repeated as one cardinal accidentally stuck two ballot papers together.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Estrada reveals that locals and visitors alike flock to Hotel Drover to gear up and get on trend by investing in pieces from the world’s first-ever Lucchese Custom Collection boutique.—
Karla Walsh,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The file recounts a call made by an unnamed person to the FBI National Threat Operations Center.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
26 Feb. 2026
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Lynton recounts a table read of the script for Seth Rogen comedy The Interview, which ends with the assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Galloway, who co-hosts the Pivot podcast with veteran tech journalist Kara Swisher and routinely speaks with top Silicon Valley executives, decided to zero in on those Big Tech leaders who are often seen hobnobbing at the White House and Mar a Lago.—
Kristin Stoller,
Fortune,
28 Feb. 2026
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The diving and amateur sports community remained in shock today following revelations that Olympic diver Greg Louganis, who speaks freely of his contractingAIDS in a 20/20 interview with Barbara Walters.—
Richard Lederer,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tells.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tells. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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