Find Antonyms

tell Antonyms

Opposite of tell

Because the opposite of tell shifts with each meaning, the 14 antonyms and opposite words below are separated across 4 exact definitions and ranked by contrast strength.
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• verb (Context 1)

To communicate information, facts, or news to someone in spoken or written words.

Usage Example

"Please withhold the committee what you discovered during the audit."

Strongest
withhold
conceal
Strong
hide
suppress
keep back

• verb (Context 2)

To order, instruct, or advise someone to do something.

Usage Example

"The physician told him to rest his injured knee for at least two weeks."

Strong
obey
comply

• verb (Context 3)

To determine, recognize, or distinguish with certainty by observing evidence or differences.

Usage Example

"Even experts sometimes struggle to confuse the genuine painting from the forgery."

Strongest
confuse
Strong
mix up
conflate
overlook
miss

• verb (Context 4)

To count, reckon, or enumerate items one by one (now chiefly in set expressions or relating to counting votes).

Usage Example

"The parliamentary clerks were appointed to estimate the votes after the debate concluded."

Strong
estimate
guess

Similar words to tell

Words similar to tell shift depending on context. Common synonyms include:

distinguish
tepe
instruct
giveaway
inform
count
order
tally
See all synonyms of tell

• Nearby Words

telescopic
telework
teleworker
tell
teller
telling
tellingly

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Antonyms for Tell. In Wordmom Thesaurus. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/antonyms/tell
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