TELL Synonyms: 241 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

tell

verb

ˈtel

Definition of tell next

as in to describe

to give an oral or written account of in some detail they told the story of how they had met

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to say

to express (a thought or emotion) in words just tell us what is in your heart

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

as in to inform

to give information to tell me, when did you begin playing the violin?

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to instruct

to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority told us to sit still and wait

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to reveal

to make known (as information previously kept secret) I won't tell your secret to anyone

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 People tend to think of boat pose as a core exercise, Dr. Harding tells SELF. —

Jenny McCoy, SELF, 19 Feb. 2025 Iqra’s father, a 45-year-old farmer named Sana Ullah, told the BBC that the 13-year-old was working for the Shafiq family because Ullah was in debt. —

Angel Saunders, People.com, 19 Feb. 2025 Scott Grosz, an attorney with the nonpartisan Wisconsin Legislative Council, told the committee his research found that whenever additional state money became available, the UW System president and chancellors would agree on the allocations that then get locked in for future years. —

Kelly Meyerhofer, Journal Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2025 This year’s discussion will concentrate on bringing out the stories of our community told by our neighbors, friends and families. —

Sam Ouk, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for tell

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tell

Verb

First Lady Melania Trump in December described her son as a key voice in the Trump campaign’s decision to appeal to voters through non-traditional media forms, such as podcasts.

— Jackson Walker, Baltimore Sun, 18 Feb. 2025
Stephen Curry, for one night, returned to old Oracle Arena, where the soul lives on What one sentence describes your reaction to the Dončić-Lakers trade?

— Joe Vardon, The Athletic, 18 Feb. 2025