Definition of revealnext

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 Sir Tom Jones has revealed he was fired from The Voice UK, and the currently airing 14th season appears to be his final appearance on the judging-coaching panel. Jaeden Pinder, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2026 Officials did not reveal whether the 11 drones destroyed in the latest operations had fallen inside the United States or Mexico. Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2026 When a body is found and murders start piling up, Flore will have to solve the family puzzle by revealing the truth. Ed Meza, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026 Jim will reveal the other five buys during this Thursday's September Monthly Meeting for members at noon ET. Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reveal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reveal
Verb
  • There’s a lot about the incident that Palo Alto couldn’t disclose — or doesn’t even know — including the specific company that was targeted, the identity of the human hacker, and what AI models were used.
    J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 16 Sep. 2026
  • In April, commenting on the group’s performance in 2025, Marsocci said that, while not disclosing the performance by single brand, Emporio Armani had seen an increase in sales over the past two years.
    Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The rapidly evolving technology has become a source of controversy after a series of hacks in recent months that showed AI agents can conspire to deceive humans.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Her Eras show doc lost its awards last weekend, and the Chiefs play the Broncos tonight, but that didn’t stop people from speculating.
    Vulture Staff, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Other bodies were discovered in the Olifantsfontein and Kwa-Thema areas, both about 20 miles from where Moselakgomo and the other four women were found.
    Rael Ombuor The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
  • During the stop, a K‑9 alerted to drugs in the car, leading deputies to discover 191 grams of cocaine.
    Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 18 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Defensively, Lombard has looked more than capable, displaying a strong arm, good range and smooth actions.
    Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • American flag is seen displayed at the Time Square in New York City, United States.
    Matt Peterson, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The excavation uncovered altar foundations and a step, lending new weight to a local legend that the ruins were once a church.
    Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2026
  • On one of the most damaging, KU blitzed a cornerback and a busted coverage left Donovan Olugbode uncovered along the left sideline.
    Taylor Eldridge, Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Pantone grouped 20 of the new shades into four trend palettes demonstrating how its forecast for bolder color can take several markedly different forms.
    Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Shoppable fashion streams collapse that discovery-to-purchase journey into a single experience, letting viewers watch a product get demonstrated and buy it without leaving the stream.
    Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Those sessions, and these books, are told more in real-time, as opposed to hearing a story in the past tense.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Prosecutors say Castro falsely told investigators that he had been attacked with a broom and a shovel.
    TIM SULLIVAN, Arkansas Online, 18 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The same goes for the guys, who reveal new layers of complexity in the movie’s later scenes that deepen our perception of them without betraying or undercutting the ugliness that has come before.
    Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Others — and there were more than a few — bemoaned the story’s 160-minute runtime and CGI work that betrayed a budget stretched a bit beyond its max.
    Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Reveal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reveal. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster