tells

verb

present tense third-person singular of tell
1
as in describes
to give an oral or written account of in some detail they told the story of how they had met

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2
as in says
to express (a thought or emotion) in words just tell us what is in your heart

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in counts
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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4
as in informs
to give information to tell me, when did you begin playing the violin?

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in instructs
to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority told us to sit still and wait

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in reveals
to make known (as information previously kept secret) I won't tell your secret to anyone

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 tells Nouraei tells her patients and clients, however, that the safest way to start taking creatine would be incrementally, beginning with three grams daily for a week, then four, then to five. — Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026 But for this initial step, Pierre tells mature patients to find a formula that’s gentle, non-irritating, and—if needed—able to remove makeup. — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2026 The space also tells the story behind Loro Piana’s precious fibers and fabrics including vicuña, cashmere and baby cashmere, The Gift of Kings, cotton and linen. — David Moin, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026 The recent attack on Saint Petersburg appears to mark the largest one on the city since Russia's 2022 invasion, NPR's Charles Maynes tells Up First. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 19 Oct. 2026 Signals travel from the brain to the pituitary gland, which tells the testes how much of the hormone to make. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026 At that point, Qatar prepared to halt the program, a former Biden official tells TIME. — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026 The state reviews your records and tells you in writing what, if anything, still needs to be resolved before your rights are restored. — Raven Lightsey, Sun Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026 In another conversation, Matt in San Francisco tells Aubrey about his love of motorbikes. — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tells
  1. describes
  2. says
  3. counts
  4. informs
  5. instructs
  6. reveals
  7. recounts
  8. speaks
Verb
  • The term describes people whose reaction to not knowing is far more intense than the situation warrants.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The popular term generally describes a softer physique with extra weight around the midsection.
    — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of describes
Verb
  • Martin Zummach, an attorney who represents the officer who fired the shot that killed Kohen, says the attorney general's findings cleared his client of criminal wrongdoing.
    — SOPHIE BATES, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
  • For developers managing a mix of AC and DC loads, Inam says the device collapses a number of machines—including a rectifier, an inverter, backup power and energy management—into a single unit four feet square and 12 feet high.
    — Alex Pasternack, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of says
Verb
  • Speakers include South Korean creator Kimpro, who counts more than 130 million subscribers and a career total of 154 billion views.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
  • One of the questions running through the exhibition is what counts as a poster.
    — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of counts
Verb
  • In addition to scaring the bejesus out of Hamlet and demanding blood, the ghost informs the audience exactly how the murder occurred.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The facility lacks a verifiable method that informs food employees of their responsibility to report their health status in regards to illnesses that can spread through food.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of informs
Verb
  • Its facilitator handbook encourages children to share their pronouns and instructs adults to use gender-neutral language.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
  • When Sita begs Rama to follow a demon disguised as a beautiful golden deer, Rama draws a magical protective circle around the princess and instructs her to stay within the circle’s borders.
    — Sohini Sarah Pillai, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of instructs
Verb
  • Avery reveals the claustrophobia feeling comes from the inside.
    — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The acclaimed chef reveals how Korean temple cuisine inspired his new book, Mindful Cooking, and shares his favorite restaurants, markets, and cultural experiences in Korea.
    — Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of reveals
Verb
  • Look at how, in Dance Party, Clint Smith recounts his speaker’s dance movement experience with his kiddos.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026
  • In it, Viard recounts how she was told over lunch with Alain Wertheimer, global executive chairman of Chanel, that she was being let go.
    — Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of recounts
Verb
  • Their enduring presence in literary and philosophical discussions speaks to the core function of the humanities—to explore, question, and better understand the forces that define our existence.
    — Maria Papadouris, JSTOR Daily, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The extensive use of cherrywood, renowned for its durable patina, speaks to Lucas’s desire to build a place that will outlive him.
    — Khushbu Shah, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of speaks

Browse Nearby Words

tell (on)
tells
tells (of)
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Cite this Entry

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

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