1
as in to affect
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 to talk
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 tell (on)
Verb
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Any changes likely won’t affect this year’s midterm elections, but the 2028 presidential election is another story.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
1 May 2026 -
But the Supreme Court’s decision could affect elections for other offices.—
David A. Lieb,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Verb
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But past royal visits to Washington have sometimes gone awry − from amorous muskrats to a talking hat.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
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Before talking to the group, McFadden asked them to take a few minutes to interact.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The departure of the United Arab Emirates will deliver a blow to the cartel that could jeopardize its ability to influence the global oil market.—
Hanna Ziady,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
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Lengthy prison sentences imposed years after the crime may not influence other individuals making split-second decisions in volatile situations.—
Andrew S. Boutros,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The 38-year-old was hired as the club’s new under-21s coach from Southampton’s academy last summer and then promoted to Rosenior’s backroom staff after impressing in a two-game spell at the helm following Enzo Maresca’s departure in January.—
Simon Johnson,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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DeVito clearly impressed the Patriots’ staff enough last season to be promoted to second-string behind Maye.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Heorhii Tykhyi, a spokesman for Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry, said Kyiv had informed Israeli authorities about the vessels in advance.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
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Luckily, the hunters brought the deer to a butcher who then informed EnCon police.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Here’s how the growing cost of oil and gas is impacting consumers.—
Mae Anderson,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
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When you’re stressed, your body releases corticosteroids and other hormones that can impact cholesterol levels.—
Mark Gurarie,
Verywell Health,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The demonstration also touched on various issues that Americans have been facing including the rising cost of food and gas due in part to tariffs, the war in Iran and immigration sweeps that experts have said contributed to a shortage of agricultural workers.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
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One with Ayo Edebiri, which touched on topics like the Chinatown bus and Ocean’s Eleven.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Investigators said the argument escalated into a physical fight when the female suspect began swinging and striking the victim in the chest and head and then pulling her hair.—
Alexa Ashwell,
Baltimore Sun,
1 May 2026
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Missiles continue to fly over the exclusion zone on their way to strike Kyiv.—
Benjamin Mack-Jackson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Tell (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tell%20%28on%29. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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