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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Size also influences how quickly or slowly the compost takes.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
30 Apr. 2026 -
Manufacturers should always be able to clearly articulate how and why technology influences decisions.—
Mike Kelleher,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Below, Weisman talks with THR about the difficult conversations in the writers’ room about presenting the interracial friend group onscreen, considering an alternative killer and the message the series sends about the danger shame and secrets pose to women.—
Brande Victorian,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Apr. 2026
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Ahead, Fields talks determination in pursuit of a dream, following your instincts and fostering relationships.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The recall affects unexpired bottles with lot numbers 230361, 240822, 241198, 250066, 250152, 250646 and 250831.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
3 May 2026
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In banking, an erroneous decision affects a transaction.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
2 May 2026
Verb
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Welcome to Latest & Greatest, a franchise that celebrates all the shiniest new beauty launches of the month and informs you what’s worth your time and cash.—
Gina Vaynshteyn,
StyleCaster,
30 Apr. 2026
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Meta informs staff layoffs affecting 8,000 employees amid AI push – Amid a massive strategic pivot toward artificial intelligence, Meta has informed its staff of impending layoffs expected to affect approximately 8,000 employees as the tech giant restructures its workforce.—
Staff,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Also Astellas is reentering the clinic with a next-generation gene therapy for XLMTM and Intellia’s CRISPR therapy for hereditary angioedema impresses.—
Meghana Keshavan,
STAT,
27 Apr. 2026
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That’s what impresses Grayslake North senior shortstop/third baseman Jane Pritchard.—
Bobby Narang,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The disease is a common neurodegenerative disease that impacts memory, motor function and cognitive ability, per Mayo Clinic.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
6 May 2026
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Chemical management remains the most challenge area across the sector and impacts overall environmental performance.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Legal work that touches immigration status or physical injury can bring fear to the surface again and again.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
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Kansas City-area Representatives Sam Graves, who represents a swath of northern Missouri, and Mark Alford, whose district touches the metro and central Missouri, similarly both made statements about the attack.—
Jack Harvel
April 27,
Kansas City Star,
27 Apr. 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 7 May. 2026.
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