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 Dotel was rescued from the rubble, officials told the outlet, but he was later mourned by the ministry. Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 9 Apr. 2025 One of the women surrendered her wedding ring, worth an estimated $7,000, and the robber told the victims to leave the area. Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2025 Pérez’s manager, Enrique Paulino, whose shirt was spattered with blood, told reporters at the scene that the concert began shortly before midnight, with the roof collapsing almost an hour later, killing the group’s saxophonist. Danica Coto, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025 For a start, realising their mistake/the potential embarrassment ahead, Madrid appealed to UEFA but were told there was nothing that could be done. Nick Miller, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tell
Verb
  • Some of your co-stars have described treacherous filming conditions in Thailand.
    Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Carr has multiple probes in progress, and his investigation into CBS over the editing of an interview with Kamala Harris has drawn condemnations from both liberal and conservative advocacy groups that describe it as a threat to the Constitutional right to free speech.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • White House officials said the calculations came from the Council of Economic Advisers.
    Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025
  • The United Nations said on Wednesday that people in Mandalay city, one of the worst affected areas, are completely cut off from electricity and running water.
    Eve Brennan, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • We've been spoiled by laptop battery life over the last year or two; almost 14 hours now counts as merely average.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Would that count as a defenseman scoring record, though?
    Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Giamatti plays Phillip, living alone in a Cape Cod estate inherited from his parents when he’s interrupted by a phone call informing him of the death of an old girlfriend Carol.
    Clayton Davis, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station watch commander informed the Times no crime had taken place at the residence.
    Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • But the biggest fights lie ahead: The blueprint instructs the House and Senate to craft separate proposals that will eventually need to be reconciled.
    Riley Beggin, USA Today, 5 Apr. 2025
  • The order also instructed the military to refrain from teaching that America’s founding documents are racist or sexist and about gender ideology.
    Cheyanne M. Daniels, The Hill, 5 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • For example, the podcast didn’t reveal that Kochan was assaulted as a child by her mother’s boyfriend until the end, whereas the TV series introduces that information early on.
    Selome Hailu, Variety, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Tim Plowman and Jim Duke would famously reveal coca to be both benign and chock-full of vital nutrients, but their nutritional study came a generation too late to inform the bureaucratic and political process that led to the criminalization of the plant.
    Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Claire Danes narrates the exclusive Audible audiobook version, and new subscribers can try Audible Premium Plus for only 99 cents for their first three months; learn more about the limited-time Audible deal here.
    Danielle Directo-Meston, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Vaughn narrates his come-up and reflects on navigating the stresses of his relationships with his parents.
    Michael Saponara, Billboard, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The Handmaid's Tale creator Bruce Miller talks the shocking reunion in the season 6 premiere.
    Lauren Huff, EW.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Tonya Mosley talked with Justene Hill Edwards about the rise and fall of the Freedmen’s Bank on NPR’s Fresh Air.
    Sonari Glinton, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Tell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tell. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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