reply vs tell

reply is a noun but tell is not a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
reply	Yes	No	Yes	No
tell	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, tell is a hypernym of reply; that is, tell is a word with a broader meaning than reply:

Other hypernyms of reply include say, state.

reply (noun)	tell (noun)
the speech act of continuing a conversational exchange
a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation

reply (verb)	tell (verb)
react verbally	discern or comprehend
	mark as different
	let something be known
	narrate or give a detailed account of
	give instructions to or direct somebody to do something with authority
	give evidence
	express in words
	inform positively and with certainty and confidence