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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His footwork, his mindset, and he’s not affected by having one bad play.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
20 Mar. 2025 -
This power shift comes at the direct expense of the collar counties — DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will — leaving suburban residents with little say over policies that affect their daily commutes and wallets.—
Seth Lewis,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
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She's laid off most of her staff and is talking with a realtor about selling the organization's office building.—
Jennifer Ludden,
NPR,
15 Mar. 2025
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Not one person talked to me about it—not Vince, not Hunter, no one from the office.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
15 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Cultivate a critical understanding of how AI is influencing your life.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes,
20 Mar. 2025
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The descendants of enslaved Africans have influenced everything from the food to the crafts of the Lowcountry.—
Mark Ellwood,
AFAR Media,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Sitting at 20-12 on the season, North Carolina knows that a strong showing in the ACC Tournament is crucial to impressing the selection committee and locking down a spot in the Big Dance.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
12 Mar. 2025
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The move was a bit surprising, as the outfielder – limited to DH duties thus far following Tommy John surgery – has impressed this spring and seemed to be in the running for a roster spot with Giancarlo Stanton out indefinitely.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Discussions around changing West Ada’s classroom display policy in 2022 were informed by this new law, with content neutrality seen as a way to prevent bias — or accusations of bias — in schools.—
Rose Evans,
Idaho Statesman,
19 Mar. 2025
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Informed Consent: Clients should be fully informed about what micro-therapy can and cannot provide.—
Dominique Fluker,
Essence,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Consuming one or more alcoholic drinks within three hours of bedtime can impact sleep.—
Elizabeth Barnes,
Verywell Health,
19 Mar. 2025
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The event will take place on Saturday, March 29, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time at Roll & Hill in New York City, with 100% of proceeds supporting those impacted by January’s Los Angeles fires.—
Raven Brunner,
People.com,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The guest room design is sleek, modern, and heavily influenced by Galán's original work, blending art deco touches with Andaz's signature pink embellishments.—
Taylor McIntyre,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Mar. 2025
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Meanwhile, Target – whose RSI is 16.8 – lost about 9% this week, touching a 52-week low on Friday and bringing its year-to-date decline to nearly 23%.—
Sean Conlon,
CNBC,
15 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Kisses her mouth, but the gesture is awkward, clumsy; their teeth strike together, and Brianna winces.—
Joyce Carol Oates,
The New Yorker,
16 Mar. 2025
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The Most Unsettling Threat Lurking In Permafrost Is Far More Microscopic—And Potentially Deadly In the summer of 2016, an unexpected anthrax outbreak struck the Yamal Peninsula in Siberia, leading to the hospitalization of several people and the death of a 12-year-old boy.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes,
16 Mar. 2025
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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 25 Mar. 2025.
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