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 percentage tells the public how much of the fire perimeter is believed to not go beyond the control lines.
—
Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 8 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
Rather than rely on simplistic caricature, Jude tells this story of Eastern European economic expansion, berserk nationalism, and the inability to create meaningful change with crushing relatability.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025
There’s a joke that Michael Caine’s character, Jasper, tells.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
The historical site tells the 44-year history of the country’s most complete life-saving service site through artifacts and exhibits.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 5 Aug. 2025
As the film tells the story of two poets falling in love, a crucial location is the picturesque Bodleian Library, one of the oldest libraries in Europe, and the library's oldest reading room, Duke Humfrey’s Library.
—Caroline Blair, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 8 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
Rather than rely on simplistic caricature, Jude tells this story of Eastern European economic expansion, berserk nationalism, and the inability to create meaningful change with crushing relatability.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025
There’s a joke that Michael Caine’s character, Jasper, tells.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
The historical site tells the 44-year history of the country’s most complete life-saving service site through artifacts and exhibits.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 5 Aug. 2025
As the film tells the story of two poets falling in love, a crucial location is the picturesque Bodleian Library, one of the oldest libraries in Europe, and the library's oldest reading room, Duke Humfrey’s Library.
—Caroline Blair, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tells
Verb
-
In a study, the team describes how cooling a gas of radioactive atoms to temperatures colder than deep space could synchronize their radioactive decay.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Sep. 2025
-
The document describes workers becoming one with their fiery machines.—
Sonja Fritzsche,
The Conversation,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Michôd says that Sweeney was initially tentative about Martin's involvement, wanting to protect her own creative space, but opened up upon realizing that Martin wasn't going to try and control her performance.—
Esther Zuckerman,
Time,
6 Sep. 2025
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Kentucky’s constitution specifically allows suspects to be held without bail for a crime where the death penalty is on the table, but Stines’ defense team says the state is still required to prove at a hearing that there is enough evidence to presume Stines is guilty in order to keep him locked up.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Making up 15% of the score, this metric counts the number of alumni on Forbes lists like the Forbes 30 under 30, with high-profile government positions, and who have won prestigious prizes.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Owned in majority by the government of the principality, the SBM counts LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton among its minority shareholders.—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Reconnecting with the beauty, awe and wonders of life within and around us informs our senses, perceptions, thoughts and actions as well as improving our well-being.—
Jessica DuLong,
CNN Money,
5 Sep. 2025
-
There are, the film informs us at the end, two Shakers who are still around; at its height, the congregation numbered about 6,000.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
When people violate the rules, the policy instructs the officer to first work to educate the rider to make sure they’re informed, rather than step right to enforcement.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines each contain mRNA, which instructs cells to manufacture the coronavirus spike protein, simulating infection with the virus.—
Joshua P. Cohen,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This approach reveals new markets and business models centered on sustainability, wellness and regenerative practices.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Here, Simmons reveals his tips for better communication and offers an essential nugget of advice for young entrepreneurs.—
Tim Brinkhof,
Big Think,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This exhibit recounts that history through artifacts, photographs, first-person accounts, family objects and even sweet treats.—
Hannah Edgar,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
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The Reddit post by user Olastun_bee recounts how the office transitioned from modern business casual—polos, cardigans, khakis—to a retro formality overnight.—
Darlin Tillery,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) speaks at the opening of the IAA Mobility international motor show.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
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Davis said that the center has been around for 50 years speaks to its effectiveness in helping people achieve their goals.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tells.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tells. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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