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

In a video posted on social media, Green shared that Lala brought more than 28 inches of rain in parts of the state, adversely affecting bridges, roads and schools.

— Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 17 Aug. 2026
The ingredients in the brine interact with the meat in different ways, affecting its flavor, color and texture while also helping keep it safe to eat.

— Anna Dilger, The Conversation, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of affecting

Verb

Two economists talking Acemoglu points to his relationship with his former colleague and fellow star economist, Stanford’s Erik Brynjolffson, as a model for how the AI debate could go.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2026
But how much eye contact is the appropriate amount when talking or listening to another person?

— Terry Ward, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of talking

Verb

Founders will notice hesitation, enthusiasm, chemistry, confidence, uncertainty, who’s influencing the room, whether the customer is actually excited.

— Alison Coleman, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
How Craig plays will go a long way in influencing TCU’s entire season.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of influencing

Verb

His wife later reportedly received a letter from World Vision informing her that his donation helped restore the vision of two people.

— Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Manson’s death was met with strong reactions from the family members of his victims, who were contacted by prison officials informing them of the mass murderer’s passing.

— Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of informing

Verb

Goalkeeper Carl Rushworth, a permanent signing this summer after impressing last season on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion, tends to pass short in open play but hits most goal kicks long.

— Liam Tharme, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Born in Terre Haute, Indiana, John signed with the Cleveland Indians, now the Cleveland Guardians, at the age of 18 after impressing the team with his curveball.

— Lucia I Suarez Sang, CBS News, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of impressing

Verb

About eight fights broke out throughout the two-hour session, significantly impacting the ability of either team to get in as much quality work as expected.

— Jon Machota, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
This comes amid other challenges impacting student loan programs, including new PSLF rules, miscalculated IDR plan payments, and application backlogs.

— Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of impacting

Verb

Federal prohibition still locks plant-touching brands out of Meta, Google, most broadcast and print channels, and, sometimes, even basic financial plumbing.

— Peter Su, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Fans have gone crazy for the track online, which has been touching for the Housewife to take in.

— McKinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of touching

Verb

This is not the administration’s old list of goals — and the order Vance placed them in is striking.

— Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
Until recently, Israel was striking Gaza nearly every day, attacks that have killed over 1,250 people since an October truce deal came into effect, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 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 20 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of telling (on)

verb

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