1
as in influences
to act upon (a person or a person's feelings) so as to cause a response
the pressure of final exams is beginning to tell on the students in the dorm
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in talks
to give information (as to the authorities) about another's improper or unlawful activities
detectives convinced the perpetrators in custody to tell on their associates
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tells (on)
Verb
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Fat Content The fat content of the fish influences how well the fish freezes and defrosts.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
15 Feb. 2026 -
Sagittarius Moon The moon, which spends about two to three days in each sign, influences your emotions and intuition.—
Maressa Brown,
InStyle,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Jesse talks us through the tips and tricks of how to make golden, chewy bagels from the comfort of your own kitchen.—
Emily Elias,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
18 Feb. 2026
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As is her nature, Hudson talks openly and honestly about how being a mother has intertwined with her career.—
Amy Amatangelo,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Measuring how the climate crisis affects the frequency of these avalanches is difficult, scientists say.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
22 Feb. 2026
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The presenters discussed how periodontitis, a severe form of gum disease that worsens with age, affects the bone and tissues supporting the teeth.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That same creative experimentation informs event programming.—
Lyssanoel Frater,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
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Many say that his unapologetic message of equality and justice informs their work today.—
Matt Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Performance is where the lens really impresses.—
Tantse Walter,
Space.com,
18 Feb. 2026
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Woodard's philosophy is to put the best players on the field, which includes any freshman who impresses her.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Head coach Matt Lodi has a long list of how Cataruzolo impacts games.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
18 Feb. 2026
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Who is in the boardroom also impacts who lands in the C-suite.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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And this touches what seems the central tension of the poem, that God doesn’t have to live with and experience the repercussions of their choices and actions; the speaker does.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Feb. 2026
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Any plates, cups, mugs, silverware, or casserole dishes must be cleaned before food touches the surface.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
15 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Tells (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tells%20%28on%29. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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