tell

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as in to count
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

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb tell differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of tell are betray, disclose, divulge, and reveal. While all these words mean "to make known what has been or should be concealed," tell implies an imparting of necessary or useful information.

told them what he had overheard

Where would betray be a reasonable alternative to tell?

While in some cases nearly identical to tell, betray implies a divulging that represents a breach of faith or an involuntary or unconscious disclosure.

a blush that betrayed her embarrassment

When would disclose be a good substitute for tell?

The words disclose and tell can be used in similar contexts, but disclose may imply a discovering but more often an imparting of information previously kept secret.

candidates must disclose their financial assets

When might divulge be a better fit than tell?

Although the words divulge and tell have much in common, divulge implies a disclosure involving some impropriety or breach of confidence.

refused to divulge an anonymous source

In what contexts can reveal take the place of tell?

The meanings of reveal and tell largely overlap; however, reveal may apply to supernatural or inspired revelation of truths beyond the range of ordinary human vision or reason.

divine will as revealed in sacred writings

Example 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 tell Finley was named after Samuel Finley Brown Morse, the founder of Pebble Beach, Nantz told Golf Digest in 2019. Adam England, People.com, 26 Jan. 2025 At a November meeting, Steele told the Orlando City Council that homeless people have attempted to break into his family’s home in the middle of the night. Michael Cuglietta, Orlando Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2025 One fundamental Roseman has taken into account, Banner told PHLY’s YouTube show last week, was the reality that nearly 80% of NFL games are won by the team that leads at halftime. Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2025 The 24-year-old Brooklyn man who was run down by a group of attackers and fatally stabbed Thursday was a father and aspiring rapper, the victim’s family told the Daily News Saturday. Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for tell 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tell
Verb
  • Immigration and legal experts said that the scope of what states might be allowed to do is unclear, describing the legal authority cited in the DHS memo as uncharted waters because it has never been invoked before.
    Ana Ceballos, Miami Herald, 25 Jan. 2025
  • Though it’s described as a lip oil, the tube shape and medium-coverage shades beg to differ.
    Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 25 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Trump has said there is a national emergency at the southern border, which was a central part of his campaign message, and is implementing several executive orders related to immigration and border security on his first day in office.
    Brad Dress, The Hill, 21 Jan. 2025
  • Approximately 140 law enforcement officers were injured during the riot, the DOJ has said.
    Katherine Faulders, ABC News, 20 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • President-elect Donald Trump has frequently counted the U.S.-led coalition victory over the Islamic State militant group (ISIS) in Iraq and Syria as one of the most consequential achievements of his previous administration.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 19 Jan. 2025
  • Southern California has long endured devastating fires, with the Palisades and Eaton fires counting as two of the most destructive blazes in its history.
    Ryan Gajewski, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Just before the webinar, Gingrich said, the CDC informed him that because of an HHS order, the agency was unable to publish the report last week or communicate its findings.
    Amy Maxmen, CNN, 30 Jan. 2025
  • Bryant's surviving family members were informed of his identification.
    Kerry Breen, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • One of Huffman's orders instructed officials to start the process of phasing out Biden administration policies that allowed certain migrants to enter the U.S. through an immigration authority known as parole.
    Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 24 Jan. 2025
  • The president also instructed federal officials to investigate local authorities that interfere with the new anti-immigration measures, according to a Justice Department memo sent Tuesday and obtained by NBC News.
    Sara Dorn, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • After his son burst into the room, Gordon turned to the boy and revealed the excuse for his violent outburst, Brandon said.
    Ellen Moynihan, New York Daily News, 25 Jan. 2025
  • The answers can help reveal whether something else is being overlooked.
    Angela Haupt, TIME, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Brier narrates the audiobook, which features cameos from the likes of Danielle Brooks, Nicola Coughlan, Anthony Ramos, Rachel Dratch, Rachel Zegler, and Lukas Gage.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2025
  • Disabled director Reid Davenport narrates this investigation of what happened to Bouvia.
    Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • That is a location that president and candidate Trump talked quite a lot about, specifically as an example of immigration run amuck.
    CBS News, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2025
  • Before trying any supplement, talk with a healthcare provider.
    Lindsay Curtis, Health, 26 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near tell

Cite this Entry

“Tell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tell. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on tell

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