told 1 of 2

past tense of tell
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2
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as in counted
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?

Synonyms & Similar Words

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told

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adjective

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 told
Adjective
The canyon between Laura and the couple remains vast after Laura told Cherry in Episode 3 that Daniel died after his rock-climbing accident just to get Cherry out of their lives. Erin Jensen, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025 However, a law enforcement source later told The New York Times that the findings, from a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms report, had not been verified by the agency’s analysts and could have been misinterpreted. Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025 The gun and cartridges recovered are to be flown to the FBI’s main laboratory in Quantico, Virginia, for the most technologically advanced forensic analysis, law enforcement sources told ABC News. Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025 Shaw has already told the story of what happened next. Susan Young, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025 David Glasser, the CEO of one of the show's production companies, 101 Studios, recently told The Fort Worth Star-Telegram that season 2 was set to begin production in the Lone Star State this month, despite the show not receiving an official renewal from Paramount yet. Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Sep. 2025 The caller told police she had been told Lawson had killed his roommate the night of June 9, 2024, the affidavit states. Arkansas Online, 5 Sep. 2025 If told to evacuate, do so immediately. Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2025 The president told The Scott Jennings Radio Show that the concession resulted from his hard-nosed negotiating skills. Jamie McIntyre, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for told
Verb
  • That ban was seen by many as an attack on freedom of speech -- and an extension of what some described as the government's corrupt nature.
    Rajeev Tyagi, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Bella, now three and a half years old, was described by Overbye as calm, sensitive, quiet, smart, and playful.
    Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • When Newsom interviewed Kirk for his podcast in March, the governor said his 13-year-old son lobbied to stay home from school to watch.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The sheriff's office said the suspect was armed with a revolver handgun.
    Alex Stone, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Maya the dog's vote counted in 2021 for the gubernatorial recall election because proof of residence or identification is not required to register to vote or cast a ballot in state elections, the DA's office said.
    Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2025
  • The inspector counted 68 cockroaches in the kitchen and more than 30 flies.
    Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • When people violate the rules, the policy instructs the officer to first work to educate the rider to make sure they’re informed, rather than step right to enforcement.
    Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Berry’s approach is informed very much by her own experiences coming up in the rough and tumble of investment banking.
    WWD Staff, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Other than making sure police are contacted, workers are instructed to take safety precautions and make sure that families understand the risk involved with the highly potent illicit drug.
    Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Bondi also instructed the board to reinstate the previous criteria that Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued in a 2018 case referred to as Matter of A-B-, per WSJ.
    Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The 2025 Country Music Association Awards nominations have been revealed, and there are, of course, some snubs and surprises.
    Marcus K. Dowling, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Two cases revealed delays of more than 100 days before basic intake checks were completed.
    Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Instead, users who rely on ChatGPT, for example, for tips on handling their clinical depression are relying on the tool for a function that’s beyond its stated purpose.
    Kameryn Griesser, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2025
  • In a franchise system, this shows in how the franchisor supports its owners, how decisions are made and whether the brand’s actions truly reflect its stated purpose.
    Gigi Schweikert, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • In the filing, Dixon then recounted a moment after filming The Oval, when Perry invited him to his trailer.
    Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
  • And in one of the more lighthearted moments of the discussion, Barrett recounted a recent family vacation to the Great Smoky Mountains.
    Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Told.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/told. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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