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
The influencer, 26, graduated from nursing school in August 2024, and soon after, the high school sweethearts bought a house in Michigan, ending the long-distance aspect of their relationship, Adams tells PEOPLE exclusively.
—
Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025
That film tells the true story of an Istituto Luce cameraman who filmed Mussolini and fascist propaganda, and, eventually, the head of communist Albania.
—Will Tizard, Variety, 2 Nov. 2025
While the eradication of our species might sound like a bleak ending note, Lanthimos tells EW that audiences are divided on whether the film presents a hopeful or pessimistic view of the future.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
Eilert is soon drunk and distraught over seemingly losing his manuscript, and Hedda tells her ex-lover to kill himself.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
Father Mother Sister Brother tells the story of estranged siblings who reunite after years apart and are forced to confront unresolved tensions and reevaluate their strained relationships with their emotionally distant parents.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2025
At the other end of the spectrum, Macquarie’s chief economist, David Doyle, tells Fortune that while Washington isn’t necessarily shaping its policy because of imminent recessionary fears, policymakers will be keen to maintain growth.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025
Folklorist Thomas Keightley tells the tale of a kobold named Hödeken who was insulted by a kitchen boy who kept spraying water at him.
—Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
Promised Lands hardly tells all the truths there are about the conflicts in the Middle East, about the October War, about the mood of Israel right now, about war and logs and memory and survival.
—Susan Sontag, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2025
Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025
That film tells the true story of an Istituto Luce cameraman who filmed Mussolini and fascist propaganda, and, eventually, the head of communist Albania.
—Will Tizard, Variety, 2 Nov. 2025
While the eradication of our species might sound like a bleak ending note, Lanthimos tells EW that audiences are divided on whether the film presents a hopeful or pessimistic view of the future.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
Eilert is soon drunk and distraught over seemingly losing his manuscript, and Hedda tells her ex-lover to kill himself.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
Father Mother Sister Brother tells the story of estranged siblings who reunite after years apart and are forced to confront unresolved tensions and reevaluate their strained relationships with their emotionally distant parents.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2025
At the other end of the spectrum, Macquarie’s chief economist, David Doyle, tells Fortune that while Washington isn’t necessarily shaping its policy because of imminent recessionary fears, policymakers will be keen to maintain growth.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025
Folklorist Thomas Keightley tells the tale of a kobold named Hödeken who was insulted by a kitchen boy who kept spraying water at him.
—Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
Promised Lands hardly tells all the truths there are about the conflicts in the Middle East, about the October War, about the mood of Israel right now, about war and logs and memory and survival.
—Susan Sontag, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tells
Verb
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Beyond that, the complaint describes other people involved in the conspiracy who have also not been charged.—
David J. Lopez,
CNN Money,
4 Nov. 2025
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The report describes resale as a tool for brands to acquire new customers, control their brand narrative, and generate new revenue.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The Ram's driver, Kolton Blees, 30, of Pearcy was injured, the report says.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Oct. 2025
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Compact Umbrella London is no stranger to rainy days, and as many cities gear up for less predictable weather this fall and winter, Ali says an umbrella is a must-have item for any trip.—
Kristin Braswell,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Nvidia’s commitment in India coincides with rising global interest in India’s AI market, where OpenAI counts the country as its second-largest user base.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
5 Nov. 2025
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The only market that counts is the one attached to a ballot scanner.—
Kate Plummer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The Wells Notice, which serves as the civil equivalent of a criminal grand jury target letter, informs the recipients that the Division is prepared to recommend to the Commissioners that they be sued.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
24 Oct. 2025
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Once passengers buy tickets, the attendant directs them to a waiting Tesla, informs the driver of the destination and sends them on their way.—
Hadley Hitson,
Nashville Tennessean,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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He is whisked away from a charity basketball event to his Air Force One, where Lieutenant Commander Robert Reeves (Jonah Hauer-King) hands him the Black Bag and instructs him to choose which retaliatory strike option to approve.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Oct. 2025
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Cameron and Sullivan find Jones, and Sullivan instructs Cameron to bring him back to the medic truck.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But whether Vanity Fair can strike a balance between meaningful journalism that reveals the inner workings of power — while also convincing the powerful to pose for its covers and attend its Hollywood events — remains an open question.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
3 Nov. 2025
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That’s because the third act reveals that Teddy was right all along, and Michelle is an alien.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Bransten recounts meeting with David and Ralph Lauren at the time, prepared with slides.—
Tharin Pillay,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
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Set in 1971, The Post recounts the decision by The Washington Post to publish the top-secret Pentagon Papers and the newspaper’s ensuing legal victory over the Nixon administration.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Zohran Mamdani, Democratic candidate for mayor speaks during a press conference celebrating his primary victory with leaders and members of the city's labor unions on July 2, 2025 in New York.—
Dan Mangan,
CNBC,
5 Nov. 2025
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Diane Brady is an award-winning business journalist and author who has interviewed newsmakers worldwide and often speaks about the global business landscape.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tells.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tells. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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