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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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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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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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 Netflix is officially developing Kildare, a prequel series that will once again employ Outer Banks creators Josh Pate, Jonas Pate, and Shannon Burke to tell stories in the world. — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026 That’s certainly the story YouTube would like to tell, anyway. — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2026 During Axon's most recent earnings call, CEO Rick Smith told investors that law enforcement agencies are making the switch. — Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 22 Aug. 2026 Patrick Clancy told a story and everyone believed him and acted accordingly. — Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tell

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tell

Verb

Founded by Kemmu and Nihalani, the company has positioned itself around backing stories described as authentic and character-driven, aiming to balance creative ambition with commercial appeal.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
Other sailors described to CNN conditions unlike their previous deployments, largely because of the war, which stopped the ship from making stops at friendly ports.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of describe

Verb

But the federal agency that has required companies to collect and report demographic workforce data since 1966 is now working to end that practice, a move some critics say would be a huge blow to civil rights enforcement.

— Mirtha Donastorg, AJC.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Ferndale school officials say high school students gained experience through drone filming crews, race-day event management and supervised flight projects.

— DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of say

Verb

The latest available Census of Agriculture data, from 2023, counted about 47,000 cattle and calves in the county.

— Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
Miller sought an injunction similar to the one former Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia received, challenging eligibility rules that count seasons played at a junior college against a player’s four years of eligibility at a Division I school.

— Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of count

Verb

Currently, there are three categories of vaccination recommendations granted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which is informed by a panel of independent expert advisors, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

— Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 24 Aug. 2026
Over the weekend, Bloomberg News reported Nvidia has informed customers of impending price hikes on AI servers due to memory costs.

— Jim Cramer, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of inform

Verb

Prosecutors said the witness was not intending to be inflammatory and asked that the jury be instructed to dismiss the statements from Heilbrun on her religion.

— Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 24 Aug. 2026
The judge immediately called a sidebar and instructed the jury not to consider that question.

— Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of instruct

Verb

Like with Channel Orange, Ocean is narrating life from 10,000 feet up, able to communicate pain and lust and longing with a kind of precision that, if nothing else, should prove how singular the human spirit truly is.

— Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026
The 2015 sequel ends with an emotional sequence featuring Dom and Brian (Walker) driving side by side as the former narrates a montage about their relationship.

— Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of narrate

Verb

Instead of speaking only about the Beautiful Game, Eason would talk to Diomandé about his mother, who suffers from long-term health issues, and genuinely cared about the person behind the player.

— Ben Church, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Founded in 2009, the group has bloomed into a small empire—we’re talking nearly 70 of the South’s favorite restaurants, hotels, bars, and cafes, plus another dozen or so in development—with thoughtful intention.

— Colleen McNally Arnett, Southern Living, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of talk

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“Tell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tell. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of tell

verb

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