1
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
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According to the Lake County website, the auditor oversees ledgers and records affecting county funds, and oversees duties related to the assessment of property and levy and collection of property taxes, among other roles.—
Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
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Shailene Woodley’s Paradise character Annie may have memorized every nook and cranny of Elvis Presley’s Memphis estate Graceland, but the actress herself hasn’t made the pilgrimage there in the wake of her affecting performance in the show’s second season.— Scott Huver, Deadline, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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My issue is that over the years, my massage therapist has started talking to me more and more during the massage session and occasionally talks to me the entire session.— R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
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To improve your sleep, the organization suggests minimizing disruptions before bed (yes, including screens) and talking to your doctor to solve any potential issues like sleep apnea.— Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This leadership follows a congressional report showing foreign adversaries are actively influencing American academia — shining a spotlight on Indiana and Purdue University, in particular, as both a model for reform and a case study in risk.— Joe Gebbia Sr, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
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Recent research suggests the average B2B deal cycle is roughly 6 months, with 5–10 people often influencing the decision.— Jason Phillips, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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After beginning the season out of the rotation, Jakucionis went on to crack the Heat’s rotation in December by impressing coaches with his energy, playmaking skills and ability to hold up on defense.— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
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Rivera was able to complete 10 out of the 14 exercises without quitting, impressing the Father Stu star.— Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 18 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Denver Post business team would like to hear your perspective on how AI is impacting the workforce in Colorado.— The Denver Post, Denver Post, 27 Apr. 2026
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The outage spanned from the Presidio to the Great Meadow Park area in the Marina District, impacting homes and businesses north of Lombard Street.— Brandon Downs, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Inspired by the French, the fragrance was distilled in all the elements informing the perfume, from its name to the juice, which was created by Nadège le Garlantezec blending the likes of pink peppercorn and amirys essence, alongside Ylang Ylang, jasmine extract and vanilla absolute.— Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 20 Apr. 2026
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The Maplewood building, which is owned by Ramsey County, houses an average of 17 families and has drawn some 494 volunteers this year alone, accounting for nearly 3,000 hours of service, according to Catholic Charities, which began informing longtime volunteers of the situation last week by email.— Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Sycamore examines her complicated relationship with her late grandmother Gladys, a renowned Baltimore artist, and begins by literally touching her paintings and collages.— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
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To protect yourself, the CDC encourages washing your hands after touching birds, anything in their habitat, and their eggs.— Addy Bink, The Hill, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The writers guild has been laser-focused on this deal since March, opting to square that away before western division executives presumably turn their attention back to the WGA West’s striking staff.— Katie Campione, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2026
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Google is already moving in this direction, striking a deal with NextEra to restart the 615 MW Duane Arnold nuclear facility for 24/7 carbon-free power.— Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 24 Apr. 2026
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.
Cite this Entry
“Telling (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/telling%20%28on%29. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
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