1
as in describes
to give an oral or written account of in some detail
they told the story of how they had met
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in says
to express (a thought or emotion) in words
just tell us what is in your heart
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in counts
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
4
as in informs
to give information to
tell me, when did you begin playing the violin?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in instructs
to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority
told us to sit still and wait
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in reveals
to make known (as information previously kept secret)
I won't tell your secret to anyone
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of tells
In the film, an unnamed bearded fellow at a bar, clearly meant to be Dave Van Ronk, tells him that Guthrie is at Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital in Morris Plains, New Jersey.
—
Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 11 Dec. 2024
Then, assess what the metric tells you to determine where changes would best be applied.
—Evan J. Schwartz, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
This book that tells the compelling story of world famous racehorse, Alydar and his career, the gruesome details of his mysterious death, and the long process of unearthing of the facts and the shameless greed of those around the horse.
—Grrlscientist, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Ian Gilligan, an archaeologist at the University of Sydney who has studied eyed needles but wasn’t involved in the research, tells CNN that humans would have found making needles from the bones of larger animals more difficult.
—Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Dec. 2024
The frozen frame may be worth a thousand words, but the movie tells a different tale.
—Steve Tengler, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Coppola’s story tells the tale well.
—John Tamny, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
The Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association, which represents many of the state's hospital systems, tells Axios that CMS hasn't fined a Virginia hospital for noncompliance.
—Sabrina Moreno, Axios, 5 Dec. 2024
The film tells the story of the Engels family.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 5 Dec. 2024
Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 11 Dec. 2024
Then, assess what the metric tells you to determine where changes would best be applied.
—Evan J. Schwartz, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
This book that tells the compelling story of world famous racehorse, Alydar and his career, the gruesome details of his mysterious death, and the long process of unearthing of the facts and the shameless greed of those around the horse.
—Grrlscientist, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Ian Gilligan, an archaeologist at the University of Sydney who has studied eyed needles but wasn’t involved in the research, tells CNN that humans would have found making needles from the bones of larger animals more difficult.
—Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Dec. 2024
The frozen frame may be worth a thousand words, but the movie tells a different tale.
—Steve Tengler, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Coppola’s story tells the tale well.
—John Tamny, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
The Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association, which represents many of the state's hospital systems, tells Axios that CMS hasn't fined a Virginia hospital for noncompliance.
—Sabrina Moreno, Axios, 5 Dec. 2024
The film tells the story of the Engels family.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 5 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tells
Verb
-
Kelly describes a telling example of flexibility in action.Jeff Fromm, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
-
With an unwavering hand, the author describes their plight and their humanity.Annabel Gutterman, TIME, 10 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Gideon informs them about the Mandalorians’ plans to take back their home planet of Mandalore, while also questioning the whereabouts of Admiral Thrawn, a very notable bad guy in the Star Wars canon.Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 10 Dec. 2024
-
This data also informs tactical decisions, like day-to-day staff allocation, and can even play a role in performance management.Expert Panel®, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Alice is sent to the technician room, where the head technician instructs an employee to clean the bot so nobody can find out about the chaos the sim's malfunction created.Jordana Comiter, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024
-
Each face of the dreidel instructs a player to add gelt to the pot or take it from the pot.Chris Sims, The Courier-Journal, 3 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Their lives collide in a virtual reality world, where a mystical deer reveals hidden truths, sparking a journey of discovery and connection.Peter Debruge, Variety, 11 Dec. 2024
-
In the culinary world, that spirit reveals itself in simple ingredients turning into delicious symphonies inclusive to this Eastern European land, igniting the nation’s residents, the Polish diaspora, and those keen to discover new, authentic tastes to unite over the Alexandra Foods dining table.Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
But what about the times when silence speaks louder than words?Antony Robinson, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
-
Watch on Deadline Here the Iranian-Canadian filmmaker speaks to Deadline about the privilege of freedom and using his platform to tell hard truths.Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Keighley advises entrepreneurs to focus on solutions that do not rely heavily on government incentives.Marianne Lehnis, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
-
Named after Gemini because the meteors seem to emerge — or radiate from — the same area in the sky as the constellation, NASA advises stargazers to look to Gemini and elsewhere to get the best views.Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Posen asks, before answering his own question.Irina Aleksander, Vogue, 11 Dec. 2024
-
Posen asks, about the task ahead of him, before answering his own question.Irina Aleksander, Vogue, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Charitable organizations must file an IRS 990 form, which discloses financial information.Nancy L. Anderson, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2024
-
The company no longer discloses subscriber numbers, only subscriber revenues.Patrick Frater, Variety, 22 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near tells
Cite this Entry
“Tells.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tells. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share