1
as in affecting
to act upon (a person or a person's feelings) so as to cause a response
the pressure of final exams is beginning to tell on the students in the dorm
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in talking
to give information (as to the authorities) about another's improper or unlawful activities
detectives convinced the perpetrators in custody to tell on their associates
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for telling (on)
Verb
-
However, an anonymous former OLCA employee said the department is experiencing significant cuts, potentially affecting how well the agency can help Congress identify Social Security problems in certain areas.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025 -
To see an affecting presentation?—
David Lyman,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The next battleground is the execution layer, where the question becomes not just who builds the models, but who profits when AI stops talking and starts acting for users.—
Roomy Khan,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Kelly began the livestream upon the news of Kirk's shooting in Utah and learned of his death while talking with Glenn Beck.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The format grants viewers unprecedented control over programming elements, from influencing contestant challenges involving current events and social issues to deciding elimination outcomes and performance selections.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The draft guidance could shape clinical trial designs, labeling considerations and FDA review expectations for future prescription non-opioid analgesics seeking approval for chronic pain indications, potentially influencing investment and development priorities in the pharmaceutical industry.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The visiting Boxers have garnered attention with quarterback Marcio Semedo impressing at this summer’s Northeast 7v7 tournament.—
Jack Murray,
Boston Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
-
By all indications out of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, Frankenstein is impressing most Rotten Tomatoes critics.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Kirkham says that the tendency for microlearning lessons to move quickly and reduce each concept down to a short explanation risks impacting the overall quality of learning, and can prevent the opportunity for healthy debate and discussion within the classroom.—
Hannah Nwoko,
Parents,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Understanding that a hot exo-atmosphere would be large and inflated in size, and that graphite would absorb practically all of the starlight impacting that atmosphere if there were a high-altitude layer of it, represents a fascinating scenario for explaining the features of these planets.—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Saturday’s forecast for Columbia calls for high heat and humidity, with temperature perhaps touching 97 degrees Fahrenheit.—
The Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Even Roki Sasaki seemed to find some velocity in his most recent outing in the minors, touching 100 mph several times.—
Dennis Lin,
New York Times,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Advertisement PurpleAir doesn’t forecast pollution, while AccuWeather tries to predict AQI hourly throughout the day for towns or cities based on available data informing their models.—
Matt Fuchs,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
-
What is informing your take on the present-day mob families in New York?—
Selome Hailu,
Variety,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Also in the Big Apple, Sarah Jessica Parker has a mini-reunion with former costar Cynthia Nixon, while Selena Gomez is striking in red.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
-
An oversized heron print by Gucci on a retro pink backdrop forms a striking focal point, offset by the clean geometry of the Manhattan skyline.—
Sophie Flaxman,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Sep. 2025
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.
Cite this Entry
“Telling (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/telling%20%28on%29. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share