TELLS (ON) Synonyms: 86 Similar and Opposite Words

tells (on)

verb

present tense third-person singular of tell (on)

as in influences

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in talks

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

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tells (on)

Verb

Politics influences how judges rule almost everywhere in the world.

— Tom Campbell, Oc Register, 4 July 2026
Ferritin is essential for oxygen transport (hemoglobin) and also influences energy production, hair growth cycles, cognitive function, mood, and thyroid metabolism.

— Tatiana Dias, Vogue, 30 June 2026

Definition of influences

Verb

One of the most common – yet frequently misunderstood – causes of chronic pelvic pain is endometriosis, a condition that affects about one in 10 women of reproductive age.

— Daryl Austin, USA Today, 7 July 2026
This issue mainly affects the crafts/below-the-line categories, like directing, editing and cinematography, which are evaluated by specific episodes ahead of nominations.

— Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 6 July 2026

Definition of affects

Verb

Trump views it in zero-sum terms, as a thing the strong seize from the weak—a view that informs his constant desire to steal natural resources from smaller countries.

— Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026
This was my strategy throughout the book and informs my citational practices as well.

— Tim Brinkhof, JSTOR Daily, 8 July 2026

Definition of informs

Verb

The group also impresses with unique choreography, incorporating Pilates balls into their routine.

— Jeff Benjamin, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Newcastle are keen to get the Munoz transfer sealed, given that if the versatile attacker impresses on the global stage, that may prompt greater interest.

— David Ornstein, New York Times, 16 June 2026

Definition of impresses

Verb

If an employee does not understand that their digital behavior impacts business continuity, no investment in cutting-edge software will be enough.

— Vicente Pava, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
What is a screwworm According to the USDA, the New World screwworm is a parasitic fly that impacts livestock, pets, wildlife, and, less commonly, people and birds.

— Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 1 July 2026

Definition of impacts

Verb

Materials lean warm and minimal—Baltic birch, black steel, and soft shades of green—with witty Moxy touches like quirky headboard art and colorful accents.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 July 2026
Every manufacturer running just-in-time across a supply chain that touches the Gulf — automobiles, defense equipment, medical technology, construction materials — is now recalculating.

— Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Definition of touches

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.

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tells off

tells (on)

telltale

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Style

“Tells (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tells%20%28on%29. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of tells (on)

verb

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