TELL Synonyms: 241 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

tell

verb

ˈtel

Definition of tell

as in to describe

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 to say

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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?

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as in to inform

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to instruct

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to reveal

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 The Same Curve, Every Time Skeptics have been telling this story for a hundred years. — Stephen Messer, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026 The series opens from the police perspective, but later the story rewinds and is told through the eyes of the robbers and and their hostages inside the bank. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026 For more help spotting suspicious sellers, see our guide on how to tell whether an online store is real or a scam. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026 Mary tells them that Britani left her event with not one but THREE floral arrangements, which included the one that Mary gifted her, one right off the table, and the one that Britani herself brought as a gift. — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tell

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tell

Verb

Companies that describe their services as sovereign without being clear about those dependencies risk accusations of sovereignty-washing.

— Margot Edelman, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Some puzzlers describe solving the crossword as a workout; for me, today’s was a knock-down, drag-out fistfight.

— Sean McGowan, New York Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of describe

Verb

What employers are doing Kostka says there have recently been fewer health insurers in her area to choose from.

— Alana Semuels, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
Hamilton, in response, said that his church changed its policies in response to the scandal and eventually turned the matter over to police.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of say

Verb

There were two--count 'em, two--stories bumping off the top of the front page Tuesday, both about election observers.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Oct. 2026
Partial results showed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc likely to win 56 seats and challenger Gadi Eisenkot's to win 48 in the 120-seat Knesset, with over 66% of ballots counted.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of count

Verb

There is not a verifiable document about employees who have been informed about their responsibility to report health issues.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
The statement doesn’t amount to an endorsement, a spokesperson for Caruso said, but instead simply informs people for whom Caruso planned to vote.

— Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of inform

Verb

To counter these scams, Apple instructed its retail store employees to check every return package and ensure all box components, including the iPhone, are returned in good condition.

— Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 26 Oct. 2026
Lauren Jones, a photographer from Savannah, Georgia, told Glamour that after acne-like rashes appeared on her cheeks, her esthetician instructed her to wash only with cold water and her hands for four weeks.

— Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of instruct

Verb

As case counts surged in the initial months of the outbreak, population and demographic data revealed who was shouldering the greatest burdens.

— Julie Morita, Time, 25 Oct. 2026
Medical examinations initially revealed no major injury, but his condition deteriorated.

— Lance B. Fulford, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of reveal

Verb

Other British stars to have teamed up with Noiser include Dame Julie Andrews, who narrated an adaptation of Emma, and Hugh Bonneville, who narrated some Sherlock Holmes short stories.

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026
The original short, narrated by Ron Perlman, premiered at the LA Shorts International Film Festival and was selected by more than 40 other festivals, earning 18 awards.

— Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of narrate

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“Tell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tell. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of tell

verb

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Cite this Entry

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