Synonyms of tell

tell

verb

ˈtel 

1

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

• describe
• narrate
• recount
• relate
• chronicle
• report
• set forth
• recite
• detail
• depict
• chart
• voice
• rehearse
• reveal
• disclose
• state
• divulge
• give
• express
• utter
• expose
• deliver
• enumerate
• itemize
• bare
• particularize
• render
• reel off
• delineate
• sketch
• let on (about)

2

as in to say

to express (a thought or emotion) in words

just tell us what is in your heart

Synonyms & Similar Words

• say
• talk
• speak
• utter
• discuss
• share
• articulate
• give
• announce
• state
• verbalize
• put
• shout
• publish
• vocalize
• bring out
• pass
• enunciate
• put into words
• post
• look
• voice
• whisper
• proclaim
• affirm
• declare
• advertise
• blurt
• sound
• assert
• ventilate
• publicize
• allege
• breathe
• promulgate
• get off
• word
• vent
• air
• mouth
• comment
• broadcast
• formulate
• phrase
• avow
• aver
• gasp
• shoot
• murmur
• blabber
• remark
• chirp
• lip
• clothe
• blaze
• rip (out)
• couch
• bolt
• spout
• avouch
• purr
• snarl
• formulize
• drawl
• splutter
• pipe up (with)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• suppress
• stifle

3

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

• count
• compute
• check
• calculate
• number
• enumerate
• add (up)
• recount
• table
• reckon
• tabulate
• mark
• tally
• total
• tick (off)

4

as in to inform

to give information to

tell me, when did you begin playing the violin?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• inform
• advise
• instruct
• teach
• brief
• notify
• educate
• apprise
• enlighten
• acquaint
• familiarize
• clue (in)
• clear
• fill in
• convince
• alert
• catch up
• hip
• wise (up)
• assure
• verse
• let someone know
• reassure
• advertise
• keep (someone) posted
• disclose (to)
• announce (to)
• lecture
• certify
• warrant
• school
• disabuse
• tutor
• disillusion
• undeceive
• disenchant

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• mislead
• misinform

5

as in to instruct

to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority

told us to sit still and wait

Synonyms & Similar Words

• instruct
• ask
• order
• beg
• command
• advise
• warn
• direct
• bid
• enjoin
• boss (around)
• charge
• request
• appoint
• adjure
• require
• compel
• petition
• authorize
• beseech
• assign
• entreat
• force
• counsel
• supervise
• manage
• oblige
• coerce
• lead
• control
• constrain
• oversee
• conduct
• commission
• superintend

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• keep
• mind
• follow
• observe
• obey
• comply (with)

6

as in to reveal

to make known (as information previously kept secret)

I won't tell your secret to anyone

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reveal
• disclose
• discover
• uncover
• expose
• share
• announce
• divulge
• spill
• unveil
• bare
• let on (about)
• bring to light
• unmask
• confide
• publish
• leak
• inform
• proclaim
• unbosom
• go public (with)
• acknowledge
• let the cat out of the bag (about)
• confess
• advertise
• spill the beans (about)
• declare
• uncloak
• talk
• post
• betray
• relate
• admit
• communicate
• debunk
• impart
• publicize
• promulgate
• show up
• blab
• unearth
• bring out
• concede
• broadcast
• own
• give away
• unclothe
• sound
• avow
• smoke out
• undrape
• squeal
• blaze
• disinter
• placard
• rake up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hide
• conceal
• cover (up)
• mask
• veil
• disguise
• cloak
• camouflage
• shroud
• enshroud
• gloss (over)
• whitewash
• obscure
• gild
• overshadow
• varnish
• darken
• shade
• eclipse
• becloud
• overcast
• cloud
• bedim
• befog

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

Recent Examples of tell

As the climate crisis accelerates and urban populations boom, wildfires across the world are becoming larger, burning hotter, and harder to tackle, experts told CNN. —Stefano Pozzebon, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026

Kyle tells us this will likely be his last harvest. —Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026

For decades, Queens has been told to wait its turn while Manhattan got the megaprojects, the federal grants, and the shiny infrastructure. —Peter Peyser, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026

Blance told Meet the Press that Allen is not cooperating with investigators. —Ryan Lucas, NPR, 26 Apr. 2026

Phrases Containing tell

• tell (of)
• tell (on)