reveal

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb reveal differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of reveal are betray, disclose, divulge, and tell. While all these words mean "to make known what has been or should be concealed," 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

When is betray a more appropriate choice than reveal?

The words betray and reveal are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, betray implies a divulging that represents a breach of faith or an involuntary or unconscious disclosure.

a blush that betrayed her embarrassment

When can disclose be used instead of reveal?

While in some cases nearly identical to reveal, disclose may imply a discovering but more often an imparting of information previously kept secret.

candidates must disclose their financial assets

When could divulge be used to replace reveal?

While the synonyms divulge and reveal are close in meaning, divulge implies a disclosure involving some impropriety or breach of confidence.

refused to divulge an anonymous source

In what contexts can tell take the place of reveal?

The synonyms tell and reveal 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 reveal Dillane remarked that this is the beginning of their partnership, which will surely reveal itself over time. José Criales-Unzueta, Vogue, 16 Sep. 2025 On Monday, columnist Karen Attiah revealed that she had been fired by the Washington Post the week before. Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 16 Sep. 2025 Elon Musk reveals $1 billion stock purchase of Tesla. Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2025 Secchi Day data will be revealed, and door prizes will be given away. Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for reveal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reveal
Verb
  • Hospitals must disclose how and when AI is used, and physicians must remain accountable for its insights.
    Nia Bowers, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Law enforcement had yet to identify the shooter or disclose a motive and acknowledged at a news conference Thursday that the suspect’s college-age appearance may have helped the person blend in on the college campus where Kirk was shot.
    Jesse Bedayn, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • China’s economy showed further signs of weakness last month, with key data Monday revealing factory output and consumption rising at their weakest pace for around a year.
    Nino Paoli, Fortune, 15 Sep. 2025
  • That may explain why taking HRT in the years right around menopause—and in turn, avoiding the steep estrogen dropoff of this phase—was shown to lower dementia risk.
    Erica Sloan, SELF, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Scientists studying this natural process discovered that the oyster adhesive creates a strong chemical interaction with surfaces and hardens quickly.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Avoiding new technology because it is assumed to be frustrating can keep employees from discovering tools that would make their work easier.
    Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Eco Wave Power logo is displayed on a floater raised out of the water during a demonstration of Eco Wave Power electricity generation technology using the power of ocean waves in the harbor at AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro, California, on August 26, 2025.
    Jeff Young, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
  • According to a 2022 study in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, older adults with a suicide attempt displayed higher levels of suicide intent than younger adults with a suicide attempt.
    Eric Wood, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Barr confirms unreleased Epstein footage Barr confirmed that searches of Epstein’s Manhattan mansion, and possibly his island and New Mexico home, had uncovered cameras and recording systems.
    Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 17 Sep. 2025
  • After years of demanding better pay and protections from individual farmers and buyers, the Coalition of Immokalee Workers — the anti-trafficking organization that uncovered the first examples of abuse in the massive federal case — launched the Fair Food Program in 2010.
    Max Blau, ProPublica, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The exhibit showcases promotional materials that demonstrate the film’s global impact.
    R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Equally notable, the system moved seamlessly from low- to high-energy states on its own, demonstrating that its automatic adjustment isn’t just theory but a working feature.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In recent months, tariffs modestly contributed to the uptick in overall inflation, analysts previously told ABC News, but overall price increases owed largely to a rise in housing and food products with little connection to Trump’s levies.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Kaivan Shroff, a 2024 delegate for Harris, said the former vice president has the right to tell the story of her campaign, as does Biden, who has conducted a few interviews and speeches since leaving office.
    Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • By pairing atomic and nuclear clocks side by side, physicists can monitor tiny variations in their time signatures that could betray dark matter’s presence.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2025
  • And employees notice when executives who preach fairness, integrity and inclusion behave in ways that betray those very ideals.
    Sean WillChene, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Reveal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reveal. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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