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
This is how a San Diegan tells time, but yes.
—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2026
Based on photos and videos from Venezuela, the damage appears to be quite extensive, reporter John Otis tells Up First.
—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
25 June 2026
When a paper fortune cannot readily be turned into a fairly ordinary loan, that tells you something about how the market rates the collateral.
—
Dara-Abasi Ita,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2026
Per-pupil funding allows districts to allocate funds differently based on their unique needs, unlike state funding, where the state tells schools how to spend the money.
—
Madeline Luebkert,
CBS News,
25 June 2026
In The Lion at My Back, director Tonia Mishiali tells a cinematic story of an unexpected bond.
—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
25 June 2026
The Voice showrunner Audrey Morrissey tells EW on a recent set visit about choosing the right coaches for the show.
—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 June 2026
The exhibit tells the stories of the nine people enslaved by Washington.
—
Deena Zaru,
ABC News,
18 June 2026
Van Sant continues to snap away on his Leica, gives her his calm, good-natured smile, and tells her not to worry about it.
—
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
18 June 2026
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2026
Based on photos and videos from Venezuela, the damage appears to be quite extensive, reporter John Otis tells Up First.
—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
25 June 2026
When a paper fortune cannot readily be turned into a fairly ordinary loan, that tells you something about how the market rates the collateral.
—
Dara-Abasi Ita,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2026
Per-pupil funding allows districts to allocate funds differently based on their unique needs, unlike state funding, where the state tells schools how to spend the money.
—
Madeline Luebkert,
CBS News,
25 June 2026
In The Lion at My Back, director Tonia Mishiali tells a cinematic story of an unexpected bond.
—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
25 June 2026
The Voice showrunner Audrey Morrissey tells EW on a recent set visit about choosing the right coaches for the show.
—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 June 2026
The exhibit tells the stories of the nine people enslaved by Washington.
—
Deena Zaru,
ABC News,
18 June 2026
Van Sant continues to snap away on his Leica, gives her his calm, good-natured smile, and tells her not to worry about it.
—
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
18 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tells
Verb
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The 3,200-square-foot residence at 10825 Lola Montez Road in Soda Springs, about 90 minutes from Sacramento via Interstate 80, includes three bedrooms and four bathrooms, but the listing describes it more like a private Sierra camp than a conventional home.
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In Apple in China, the Financial Times reporter Patrick McGee describes how the US firm’s advanced manufacturing supply chain birthed China’s world-beating consumer electronics sector.
Verb
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The department says the project is two-months ahead of schedule with the goal of wrapping up most of the project by 2030.
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The union behind the initiative — the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West — says the measure is critical for stemming the budgetary bleeding from recent federal cuts to healthcare.
Verb
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Recycling Europe counts more than 80 national federations and companies across 24 European Union and European Free Trade Association countries among its ranks, representing sectors that range from paper and plastics to textiles.
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On sale for just $13, this luminous tinted moisturizer has been bought by more than 20,000 Amazon shoppers in the last month—and counts Martha Stewart as a fan.
Verb
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Marketing informs customer experience strategy, supports product prioritization, shapes pricing decisions, identifies emerging growth opportunities and helps leadership understand how customer expectations are evolving.
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Having a location informs the characters… like that vibe in Alexander’s Payne’s films.
Verb
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When Little John struggles to describe his dream girl, Robin instructs his protegee to sketch an image with words.
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The resolution by Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins instructs Mayor Daniella Levine Cava to pursue clawing back money from the Host Committee if the county can determine federal dollars are now paying for expenses that Miami-Dade agreed to cover with its $21 million allocation.
Verb
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Applying Porter’s Five Forces to cannabis reveals an industry built to struggle.
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That edit-first habit is the real core of how to build a capsule wardrobe, since what is left reveals the gaps worth filling.
Verb
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The story centers around friends Evelyn Couch and Ninny Threadgoode, who recounts stories about her past, primarily about Idgie Threadgoode and Ruth Jamison, who run the Whistle Stop Café.
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As Mason recounts in the documentary, Parker came to his office in 2015 due to unexplained bleeding after the birth of her second child.
Verb
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At the same time, progressive and labor groups that often find themselves at odds with the Chamber are avoiding jumping to conclusions, saying the move speaks more to the group’s quest for relevance than Becerra’s politics.
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Foster himself speaks in both films, and offers no apologies for his methods.
Cite this Entry
“Tells.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tells. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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