divulge

verb

də-ˈvəlj 
Definition of divulge
as in to disclose
to make known (as information previously kept secret) we tried to make him divulge the name of the winner, but he wouldn't budge

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb divulge differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of divulge are betray, disclose, reveal, and tell. While all these words mean "to make known what has been or should be concealed," divulge implies a disclosure involving some impropriety or breach of confidence.

refused to divulge an anonymous source

When might betray be a better fit than divulge?

While in some cases nearly identical to divulge, betray implies a divulging that represents a breach of faith or an involuntary or unconscious disclosure.

a blush that betrayed her embarrassment

Where would disclose be a reasonable alternative to divulge?

Although the words disclose and divulge have much in common, disclose may imply a discovering but more often an imparting of information previously kept secret.

candidates must disclose their financial assets

When is reveal a more appropriate choice than divulge?

In some situations, the words reveal and divulge are roughly equivalent. However, reveal may apply to supernatural or inspired revelation of truths beyond the range of ordinary human vision or reason.

divine will as revealed in sacred writings

In what contexts can tell take the place of divulge?

The synonyms tell and divulge are sometimes interchangeable, but tell implies an imparting of necessary or useful information.

told them what he had overheard

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 divulge Law enforcement agencies haven't divulged the extent of the officer's injuries. — CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026 Didulo herself rarely appears in the videos, and the group never divulges information about her. — Zander Sherman, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2026 Disney did not divulge a price for the commercial time, although reports said the company was seeking $10 million for a 30-second spot. — Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2026 The location, divulged to guests about an hour before, was in Beverly Hills in front of City Hall. — R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for divulge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for divulge
  1. disclose
  2. reveal
  3. discover
  4. tell
Verb
  • Some of the rogue behavior, which culminated in the breach of the open-source software platform Hugging Face last month, has been disclosed or alluded to previously.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Unlike that agreement, Circ’s announcement with Shenghong did not tie the purchases to a particular facility or disclose a contract term.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of disclose
Verb
  • The live ceremony will also reveal winners in categories spanning film, television and commercial work.
    — Isabelle Farina, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The Sussexes’ return to the UK after living in the United States for the past six years was revealed last week.
    — Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of reveal
Verb
  • For rail fans, there are overnight routes to discover on six of the world’s seven continents.
    — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Less so is the fact that more vulnerabilities are being discovered by bounty hunters assisted by AI tools, leaving Google fighting a battle to patch them before less conscientious hackers find them and put them to criminal use.
    — Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of discover
Verb
  • He was told to wait on a bench at the sixth station of the Fujinomiya trail as his father and brother continued their ascent, the report said.
    — Chris Lau, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Rabah told The Associated Press that two settlers arrived with a tractor at his home in Khirbet al-Rakeez in the southern West Bank on Saturday afternoon.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of tell

Browse Nearby Words

divorcing
divulge
divulged
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Cite this Entry

“Divulge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/divulge. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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