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 Insiders told royal commentator Rob Shuter that it’s already been confirmed, but the date and time remain a secret. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 15 Oct. 2026 Student organizers told Reuters that the protests are over higher education costs, a lack of financial support, conditions at universities and job prospects after graduating. — Greg Norman-Diamond, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026 Because of that approval, Comans was told to continue the payments to the state and local governments. — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 Kyiv has received no response from SpaceX or the Pentagon, another Ukrainian official told CNN. — Victoria Butenko, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tell

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tell

Verb

With a laser on board, a cargo-carrying vehicle can defend itself against drones during resupply runs, a role Rheinmetall has described as protection for autonomous logistics missions.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
Warsh described the global shift toward tighter monetary policy as a common fight on prices.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of describe

Verb

After the premiere the other day, [Jones] says, ‘Thanks for paying attention to the character Waylon, because most people wouldn’t.

— Michael Schneider, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
The company said its team can currently build a robot in about a day, with a target of reducing the process to roughly an hour next year.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of say

Verb

The new rules would not restrict banks' ability to count housing tax credit investments toward their Community Reinvestment Act obligations, an administration official said.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
While international observers initially blamed Moscow, there are now increasing suggestions that Ukrainian state security agencies may have been involved — even though Ukraine counts Germany as one of its closest allies.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of count

Verb

The report stated the test was not aimed at any country or specific target, and that relevant governments were informed ahead of time.

— Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2026
The mass sampling and real-time information gathering on prediction markets can extend their utility to informing business decisions, according to Zitzewitz.

— Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of inform

Verb

Defense lawyer Lawrence Obonyo, who represents Mackenzie and almost all of the others convicted, said he had been instructed to appeal.

— Jefferson Kahinju Reuters, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
Claude had been instructed never to log in, create accounts, enter personal information, make purchases or submit anything destructive.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of instruct

Verb

The screening will be followed by a conversation with Coburn and actor Jeffrey Wright, who narrates Du Bois’ work in the film.

— Zac Ntim, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
Today’s Theme This puzzle narrates a breakdown in communication that takes place, presumably, on a video call.

— Sam Corbin, New York Times, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of narrate

Cite this Entry

Style

“Tell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tell. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of tell

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Synonyms of tell

verb

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Cite this Entry

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