TELLING (ON) Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

telling (on)

verb

Definition of telling (on)

present participle of tell (on)

as in affecting

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in talking

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 telling (on)

Verb

And women who suspect their period pain is more severe than normal should not hesitate to speak with a health care provider, especially if symptoms are affecting their quality of life.

— Daryl Austin, USA Today, 7 July 2026
The heat is affecting how air pollution disperses over the region, National Weather Service meteorologist Carol Ciliberti said Sunday.

— Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026

Definition of affecting

Verb

As the order to evacuate was played over loudspeakers on the National Mall, some people appeared to be standing in place, talking with those around them and not exiting the area, while others were walking toward exits.

— Steven Sloan, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
His straight-talking and cliche-less approach hasn’t stopped, either.

— Colin Millar, New York Times, 4 July 2026

Definition of talking

Verb

Fintech companies are consumerizing DAFs and automating estate planning, while AI is poised to become a powerful philanthropic advisor, influencing where vast sums are directed.

— Gabriel Alin Zainescu, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
Now more questions will be raised about how involved the president was in influencing FIFA’s ruling.

— Wayne Sterling, CNN Money, 5 July 2026

Definition of influencing

Verb

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick sent a letter Tuesday informing Anthropic co-founder Tom Brown of the decision, citing Anthropic’s close coordination and cooperation with government officials to address risks associated with its models.

— Jared Perlo, NBC news, 1 July 2026
On May 14, a day after students created a San José State University for Gaza encampment, university officials sent a letter to Kil informing her she had been placed on administrative leave.

— Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026

Definition of informing

Verb

There, check out the Harbor View Cafe, which has been impressing visitors since 1980.

— Katy Spratte Joyce, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2026
Jordan Bos, a twenty-three-year-old left-back from Melbourne, has been impressing in the top Dutch league with his intelligence and intricate footwork.

— Naaman Zhou, New Yorker, 1 July 2026

Definition of impressing

Verb

Meanwhile, turbulence is getting more frequent and severe, which is impacting flights in a variety of ways.

— Zach Wichter, USA Today, 1 July 2026
From riding on attractions and experiencing cruise excursions, to sitting on furniture or even drinking a glass of milk with breakfast, Disney is highlighting and impacting small businesses in a big way.

— Megan duBois, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of impacting

Verb

Kwon moves fluidly from intimate memories of being a Korean American in Los Angeles to keen social critique, touching on body-shaming, mental health, the weight of Korea’s history, and the nuances of diaspora.

— Gabrielle Bellot, Literary Hub, 30 June 2026
There was something fun about touching a place with your own little finger.

— Sarah Scott, Parents, 30 June 2026

Definition of touching

Verb

One of the strongest super typhoons on the planet this year was striking the US Pacific Islands on Monday morning, the second massive storm to hit the territories since April.

— Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
Gomez's wedding guest dress also bore a striking resemblance to her 2025 Oscars dress, a custom off-the-shoulder piece by Ralph Lauren.

— Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 5 July 2026

Definition of striking

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.

Browse Nearby Words

telling off

telling (on)

tell (of)

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“Telling (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/telling%20%28on%29. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of telling (on)

verb

Example Sentences

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