Synonyms of told

told 1 of 2

adjective

as in said

Related Words

• said
• stated
• sounded
• voiced
• pronounced
• given
• articulated
• verbalized
• spoken
• consensual
• unwritten
• informal
• word-of-mouth
• implicit
• oral
• verbal
• nuncupative
• viva voce

Dissimilar Words

• written
• explicit
• paper
• formal

told

2 of 2

verb

past tense of tell

1

as in described

to give an oral or written account of in some detail

they told the story of how they had met

Synonyms & Similar Words

• described
• recounted
• chronicled
• reported
• narrated
• related
• recited
• stated
• set forth
• depicted
• detailed
• charted
• rehearsed
• revealed
• voiced
• uttered
• disclosed
• gave
• delivered
• exposed
• divulged
• enumerated
• expressed
• itemized
• sketched
• bared
• rendered
• reeled off
• delineated
• let on (about)
• particularized

2

as in talked

to express (a thought or emotion) in words

just tell us what is in your heart

Synonyms & Similar Words

• said
• talked
• spoke
• uttered
• discussed
• stated
• shared
• announced
• shouted
• articulated
• gave
• published
• verbalized
• posted
• passed
• brought out
• enunciated
• voiced
• whispered
• looked
• put
• affirmed
• proclaimed
• vocalized
• declared
• blurted
• put into words
• sounded
• aired
• asserted
• commented
• advertised
• remarked
• alleged
• promulgated
• ventilated
• publicized
• averred
• murmured
• broadcast
• vented
• gasped
• breathed
• got off
• drawled
• phrased
• bolted
• chirped
• blabbered
• formulated
• worded
• avowed
• purred
• blazed
• couched
• mouthed
• clothed
• snarled
• shot
• spouted
• spluttered
• avouched
• ripped (out)
• lipped
• formulized
• piped up (with)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• suppressed
• stifled

3

as in counted

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

• counted
• computed
• checked
• calculated
• enumerated
• numbered
• added (up)
• recounted
• tabulated
• totaled
• marked
• tallied
• reckoned
• tabled
• ticked (off)

4

as in informed

to give information to

tell me, when did you begin playing the violin?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• informed
• advised
• instructed
• briefed
• taught
• notified
• alerted
• acquainted
• apprised
• educated
• cleared
• enlightened
• versed
• convinced
• familiarized
• filled in
• caught up
• assured
• reassured
• lectured
• clued (in)
• let someone know
• advertised
• hipped
• kept (someone) posted
• announced (to)
• wised (up)
• disclosed (to)
• certified
• schooled
• warranted
• tutored
• disillusioned
• disenchanted
• disabused
• undeceived

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• misled
• misinformed

5

as in instructed

to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority

told us to sit still and wait

Synonyms & Similar Words

• instructed
• ordered
• asked
• commanded
• advised
• begged
• warned
• directed
• enjoined
• requested
• charged
• appointed
• adjured
• bade
• petitioned
• required
• compelled
• forced
• bossed (around)
• authorized
• assigned
• beseeched
• commissioned
• entreated
• obliged
• led
• counseled
• supervised
• managed
• constrained
• conducted
• controlled
• coerced
• superintended
• oversaw

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• observed
• followed
• kept
• obeyed
• minded
• complied (with)

6

as in revealed

to make known (as information previously kept secret)

I won't tell your secret to anyone

Synonyms & Similar Words

• revealed
• disclosed
• discovered
• uncovered
• announced
• exposed
• shared
• divulged
• spilled
• brought to light
• unveiled
• confided
• bared
• let on (about)
• unmasked
• leaked
• published
• went public (with)
• proclaimed
• informed
• acknowledged
• confessed
• let the cat out of the bag (about)
• posted
• unbosomed
• spilled the beans (about)
• declared
• advertised
• admitted
• talked
• uncloaked
• promulgated
• debunked
• blabbed
• communicated
• unearthed
• owned
• conceded
• publicized
• betrayed
• imparted
• showed up
• brought out
• broadcast
• related
• sounded
• placarded
• squealed
• unclothed
• gave away
• blazed
• undraped
• avowed
• disinterred
• smoked out
• raked up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• covered (up)
• hid
• concealed
• masked
• veiled
• disguised
• cloaked
• shrouded
• camouflaged
• enshrouded
• whitewashed
• varnished
• obscured
• overshadowed
• glossed (over)
• gilded
• eclipsed
• shaded
• clouded
• darkened
• overcast
• beclouded
• bedimmed
• befogged

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of told

Verb

Over his generous pours of cheap beer and dive-bar cocktails, aging All-Americans and national champions told stories about their old coach, mixing in laughs with the occasional Holtz imitation. —Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026

There have been no updates in the investigation, Dalton Samek told the Star-Telegram on Sunday, March 15. —Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Mar. 2026

In Washington, the House and Senate postponed votes because of difficulty traveling during inclement weather, and federal agencies told workers to go home early. —Arkansas Online, 17 Mar. 2026

By next month, there will be 400 employees working in the region, Edward Skyler, Citi’s head of enterprise services and public affairs, told The Charlotte Observer on Monday. —Charlotte Observer, 17 Mar. 2026

Trump told reporters on Monday. —Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 17 Mar. 2026

On Monday morning, Brandon Bailey, who flew into LAX from Texas, told The Times that the potential increase will leave a hole in his travel budget. —Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026

Assemblymember David Tangipa, R-Clovis, told The Bee last year. —Andrew Graham march 9, Sacbee.com, 10 Mar. 2026

None of the players are returning to Iran against their will, a person familiar with the matter told USA TODAY. —Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026

Phrases Containing told

• all told