Synonyms for tell

verb

1. To inform

   communicate, explain, say, state, instruct, direct, command, order, disclose, divulge, reveal, make known, utter, speak, report, recite, announce, let know, notify, give notice, declare, acquaint, advise, confess, impart, apprise, familiarize, represent, assert, mention, relate, convey, voice, let out, acknowledge, own, let in on, give the facts, reel off, spit out, come out with, give out, release, leak out, give inside information, break it to, break the news, express, put, show, indicate, carry tales, reveal a secret, betray, tattle, leave word, assure, keep posted, expose, lay open, open up, blurt out, fill in*, let on*, let slip*, clue in*, tell all*, level with*, give away*, come across with*, shoot*, come clean*, make a clean breast of*, get something off one's chest*; see also discuss, inform 2, notify 1, reveal 1, say.

   Antonyms hide*, keep secret, be silent.

2. To narrate

   describe, recount, set forth; see narrate, report 1.

3. To deduce

   know, understand, make out, perceive, ascertain, find out, recognize, be sure, differentiate, discriminate, determine, know for certain, clinch*. See syn. study at reveal.reveal.