TELLS Synonyms: 241 Similar and Opposite Words

tells

verb

Definition of tells next

present tense third-person singular of tell

as in describes

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

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as in says

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

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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?

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as in informs

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

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as in instructs

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

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as in reveals

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

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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 tells Netflix tells Variety the game will be updated daily throughout the World Cup with new challenges and features tied into the real events and results of the tournament. —

Jennifer Maas, Variety, 4 June 2026 Navalny tells the story of Alexei Navalny, a Russian opposition leader whose poisoning by Putin operatives in August 2020 nearly killed him. —

James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 4 June 2026 Surveillance video tells the story of the killing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a track meet in Frisco, and the jury will see it, a prosecutor told the panel on Thursday as the state began its case in Karmelo Anthony’s murder trial. —

Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 June 2026 The Break-In tells the story of Alice Rathbone, who is the victim of a home invasion. —

Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2026 The research on morning exercise and its connection to your body clock tells a similar story about how the same circadian system responds to consistent daily cues. —

Allison Palmer updated June 4, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2026 Kennedy was a producer on Persepolis, which tells Satrapi’s own story — adapted from her series of autobiographical graphic novels — of an outspoken Iranian girl growing up during the Islamic Revolution. —

Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 4 June 2026 The table tells a harsher story. —

Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2026 Executive director Iman Yusuf Abdulle tells WCCO many of the service's attendees had left by the time a physical altercation between Abdi and another person led to gunfire. —

Stephen Swanson, CBS News, 28 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tells

Verb

But Guidara describes how hospitality can be intentionally embedded into every element of the dining experience — from the greeting at the door to the pacing of a meal.

— Iyesatta Massaquoi Emeli, STAT, 2 June 2026
Waymo describes it as a more expansive cabin with extra legroom, a flat floor and a low step-in height.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026