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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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 Cast members are not given full scripts, and several claim they were told what to say on the spot, which would account for their deer-in-headlights delivery. — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026 Earlier, Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal told a press conference that the country has sought specific and specialized assistance from neighboring countries. — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026 His sister, Hillary, previously told KTLA that he was injured after diving into the water and striking a sandbar. — Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 29 Aug. 2026 Someone in the organization needs the balls to tell this guy something negative. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tell

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tell

Verb

Anton, whose gaze at the couple can only be described as wistful.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
For the first time, Fed officials described the demand generated by AI infrastructure buildouts as something that could continue to drive up prices for tech products and electricity—thereby pushing up inflation.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of describe

Verb

Other areas of concern are the library system's self-check-out kiosks, instances in which minor teenagers handle materials while working or volunteering at a branch, and platforms for loaning electronic materials, Adams said.

— Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 28 Aug. 2026
If the show is now being repositioned as just for people who are fresh out of design school or who have made just one or two gowns before (like, cough, our beloved Jude), then say that.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 28 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

The next month, senior bank leaders and vice chairs were instructed by human resources not to enter positive feedback about Nallasivan’s performance in the evaluation system, according to the lawsuit.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 31 Aug. 2026
Trump made the name change in an executive order signed on Thursday, which instructed the Secretary of the Interior to implement the change within the next 30 days.

— Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of instruct

Verb

As All In Goes Over Curfew Will Ospreay had the best entrance of the night, with his mum narrating his journey to the top of AEW.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
By Wednesday morning at Dollywood, the scent of cinnamon bread filled the air and long lines formed at a theater featuring biographical stories narrated by Parton.

— Kimberlee Kruesi, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of narrate

Verb

Fleming by body camera footage, approached Parker, who was talking on his cellphone.

— Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 27 Aug. 2026
Maybe a family watches a favorite performer together, while nearby strangers start talking because someone forgot sunscreen and their friend packed enough for six people.

— Svetlana Khachiyan, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of talk

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“Tell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tell. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of tell

verb

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Cite this Entry

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