tattling
Telling on someone
Tattling is reporting someone's misbehavior to an authority, especially when done by children seeking to get a peer in trouble: Stop tattling on your sister.
The word carries connotations of pettiness—tattling is distinguished from legitimate reporting by its trivial nature or self-serving motive.
Adults who tattle are seen as childish or untrustworthy.
One who tells authorities
- informerOne who reveals secrets
- ratRodent or informer
- traitorOne who betrays allegiance
- backstabberDisloyal pretend ally
fink · squealer · betrayer · turncoat · double-crosser · stoolie · Judas · sellout
Revealing indicator
- squealerOne who betrays secrets
- blabbermouthOne who reveals secrets
- crybabyHabitual complainer who weeps
- playgroundChildren's outdoor recreation space
sibling · teacher's pet · fink · rat · nark · prattler · babbler · whiner
Unconfirmed circulating story
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
- hearsayUnverified secondhand information
- whisperSpeech without full voice
- buzzContinuous low drone
innuendo · chatter · dirt · juicy · backbiting · slander · speculation · tabloid
Insider who reports misconduct
- disclosureAct of revealing information
- ethicsStudy of right conduct
- corruptionDishonest abuse of power
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
accountability · transparency · courage · protection · retaliation · testimony · evidence · leaks
Conveying documented information
- informantOne who provides intelligence
- statementExpressed claim or fact
- tip-offAdvance secret warning
- notificationFormal notice given
intelligence · witness · authorities · police · complaint · allegation · incident · documentation
snitch
One who tells authorities
backstabber · fink · squealer · betrayer · turncoat · double-crosser · stoolie · Judas · sellout · disloyal
telltale
Revealing indicator
- squealerOne who betrays secrets
- blabbermouthOne who reveals secrets
- crybabyHabitual complainer who weeps
playground · sibling · teacher's pet · fink · rat · nark · prattler · babbler · whiner · snitch
rumor
Unconfirmed circulating story
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
- hearsayUnverified secondhand information
- whisperSpeech without full voice
buzz · innuendo · chatter · dirt · juicy · backbiting · slander · speculation · tabloid · grapevine
whistleblower
Insider who reports misconduct
- disclosureAct of revealing information
- ethicsStudy of right conduct
- corruptionDishonest abuse of power
fraud · accountability · transparency · courage · protection · retaliation · testimony · evidence · leaks · expose
reporting
Conveying documented information
notification · intelligence · witness · authorities · police · complaint · allegation · incident · documentation · record
- school mischiefspitballs, note passing, passing notes, cheating, copying
- minor offensesminor offense, white lie, petty offense, fib, jaywalking
- bad behaviorslying, cheating, stealing, rudeness, gossiping
- childhood behaviorsgiggling, skipping, tantrums, whining, pouting
- gossiprumor, rumors, gossip, hearsay, whisper
- sibling rivalrybickering, fighting, arguing, teasing, blaming
tattlingkeeping secrets
concealing · covering up · keeping mum · hushing up · keeping quiet
tattlingprotecting
Keeping from harm
shielding · having someone's back · standing by · solidarity · omertà