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 Because the pursuit and search took place near the Fairgrounds, law enforcement sent out an emergency alert, telling people the Fairgrounds were closed due to police activity in the area. Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 10 Sep. 2025 Good Boy Ben Leonberg’s Good Boy, which comes to Oldenburg from SXSW, is a supernatural horror told entirely from the perspective of Indy, a loyal Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever who senses there are forces lurking in the dark shadows of his owner’s home. Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025 Among more than 20 originals coming out this year on the platform is Hindi-language drama Real Kashmir Football Club, which seeks to tell the story of two men who built Kashmir’s first professional men’s football club. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2025 In fact, a source told Page Six in 2023 that Baena has a good relationship with his father, but not with his half-siblings. Martha Ross, Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tell
Verb
  • More importantly, Penske also describes this dynamic as antitrust behavior from a company abusing what the federal government has already described as Google’s monopoly status in the realm of Internet search.
    Andy Meek, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Three people present described the manner of the two strangers as detached and off-putting, and said their story just did not add up.
    Denver Nicks, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Kaivan Shroff, a 2024 delegate for Harris, said the former vice president has the right to tell the story of her campaign, as does Biden, who has conducted a few interviews and speeches since leaving office.
    Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Cox said there was no information leading authorities to believe there was a second person involved.
    Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Muller’s goal that did count, incidentally, was featured on the front page of the New York Times the day after the game.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Washington counts Qatar as a strong Gulf ally.
    Jarrett Renshaw, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The algorithms are tuned with AI models informed by physics, allowing the sensors to adapt in real time without massive data training.
    Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Israel had to inform the US without jeopardizing the operation.
    Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Under captain Eric Brown, the GB&I team was even instructed not to help opponents search for lost balls.
    Tim Corlett, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Emery instructs players to pass backwards rather than sideways, as square passes are easier for opponents to intercept and can lead to transitions.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • An initial jolt of spicy pink pepper dissipates to reveal a rose dripping in honeyed, ambery sweetness, while its leathery base adds strength, dimension, and something a little bit naughty to this fruity-floral triumph of a scent.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Standard blood tests then revealed his liver function to be out of sorts.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Frank Quirarte, piloting his new Yamaha WaveRunner, narrated a play-by-play for his Instagram live feed.
    Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Mosley will narrate the author’s note to the novel, and Michael Boatman will narrate the novel itself.
    Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Crunch talks The industry split on this issue comes as auto bosses prepare to meet the EU’s von der Leyen on Friday.
    Sam Meredith, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
  • What To Include In Your Martial Conversations When talking to legal counsel, be as specific as possible.
    Michael Gargiulo, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Tell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tell. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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