TELLS (ON) Synonyms: 86 Similar and Opposite Words

tells (on)

verb

present tense third-person singular of tell (on)

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

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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

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for tells (on)

Verb

The New Discovery Ecosystem Retail Dive recently reported that luxury shoppers are using TikTok to find product reviews and other content that influences purchases.

— Bernard May, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Alongside the 68-email chain with Adam, there’s the 45-email chain and two Google Docs with Jake Montano, who writes about how his drag family influences his sense of self.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 July 2026

Definition of influences

Verb

Speaking from beyond the grave, Andy Warhol talks with Jasper Dean about the latter’s love for Beat poets and Cameron Winter.

— Cassidy Sollazzo, Pitchfork, 13 July 2026
The Emmy nominee talks her introduction to horror and exploring the origins of the original killer.

— Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 13 July 2026

Definition of talks

Verb

Cramped by Kate Helen Downey is equal parts science, storytelling, and cathartic comedy about a problem that affects millions but is still treated like a punchline—or worse, ignored entirely.

— Frank Racioppi, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
The Endocrine Society estimates that hypogonadism affects roughly 2% of men overall, although rates vary by age and underlying health.

— Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026

Definition of affects

Verb

Moving on to the housekeeping items, the organizer informs us of the presence of a documentary film crew on the grounds.

— Nick H. Penniman, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2026
In a brief filing, Google’s legal team informs the court that Google is prepared to begin distributing third-party app stores in Google Play on July 22.

— Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 15 July 2026

Definition of informs

Verb

That gap between an anti-fraud rule and one that touches every American’s ability to communicate privately is forcing privacy experts to weigh in on the proposal’s implications.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 14 July 2026
Elsewhere, collections at Khaite, Dries Van Noten, and Loro Piana nodded to the golden age of the 1920s, incorporating elegant Art Deco touches throughout.

— Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 13 July 2026

Definition of touches

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tells off

tells (on)

telltale

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“Tells (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tells%20%28on%29. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of tells (on)

verb

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