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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Career officials also alleged ideological hiring within key divisions, including civil rights, cementing a shift that critics say still influences decision-making today.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Nov. 2025 -
The Gut Produces Mood-Boosting Chemicals One of the most direct ways the gut influences the brain is through chemical messengers that affect mood and cognition.—
Stephanie Brown,
Verywell Health,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Tommy is ready to go to war, but Mireya talks her way free before Tommy arrives.—
Derek Lawrence,
Vulture,
8 Nov. 2025
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Mark walks differently than you, talks different than you, fights differently than you.—
Scott Feinberg,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Spina bifida is a type of neural tube defect (NTD) that affects the spine and is usually identified at birth.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
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One such affliction is Tay-Sachs, a disease that disproportionately affects people of Ashkenazi descent and destroys brain and spinal nerve cells.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Michelle reflected on how both of her parents instilled confidence in her from a young age which unquestionably informs her style sensibility to date.—
Essence,
Essence,
7 Nov. 2025
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Unfortunately, Devnan soon informs Sarah and her parents that there’s no oil on her land.—
Joe Leydon,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Set against São Rafael Beach near Albufeira, this reimagined 149-room property impresses with Andrade’s signature style, one that marries whimsy with natural textures.—
Chadner Navarro,
Vogue,
30 Oct. 2025
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None of these videos impresses.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Caffeine impacts younger people more than those who are older.—
Mark Gurarie,
Verywell Health,
6 Nov. 2025
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The agonizing disease disproportionately impacts black and brown people, many of whom don’t live past their 50s and struggle with heart disease, strokes, kidney disease, and joint problems.—
Cara Lynn Shultz,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Lyon’s magnetism touches the entire cast, but her bits with both Killam’s Boone and Chenoweth’s Tammy really leap off the screen.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
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And none of that touches the benefits that could accrue to other people outfitted with BCI chips, who could then communicate and interact with AI systems.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
6 Nov. 2025
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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 13 Nov. 2025.
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