Say and Tell

Say

Say verb - To express (a thought or emotion) in words.
Usage example: why don't you just say what's on your mind?

Tell is a synonym for say in express topic. In some cases you can use "Tell" instead a verb "Say", when it comes to topics like words, speak, inform, declaim. popular alternative

Nearby Word: saying

Tell

Tell verb - To express (a thought or emotion) in words.
Usage example: just tell us what is in your heart

Say is a synonym for tell in speak topic. You can use "Say" instead a verb "Tell", if it concerns topics such as communicate, words, inform, declaim. popular alternative

Nearby Words: telling, teller

Common collocations

people say people tell people
truth say truth tell truth
name say name tell name
someone say someone tell someone
Other words: time, nothing, everyone, times, names.

Both words in one sentence

  • He tries to tell her that he loves her, but this backfires, since he was reluctant to say those words in life.
  • Jesus would often preface important statements with "I tell you the truth:..." (Alternately translated/phrased as "Verily I say unto you:..." or "Truly I tell you:...")
  • Comicbook / Civil War Say those words aloud, weigh their meaning, and tell me again that I'm exaggerating.
Cite this Source
Tell and Say. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/say/tell
Say & Tell. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/say/tell>.
Tell or Say. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/say/tell.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "say" and "tell" have occurred on timeline