reveal

verb re·veal \ ri-ˈvēl \

Definition of reveal

transitive verb

1 :to make known through divine inspiration

2 :to make (something secret or hidden) publicly or generally known

reveal a secret

3 :to open up to view :display

the uncurtained window revealed a cluttered room

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revealable

play \-ˈvē-lə-bəl\ adjective

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revealer

noun

See reveal defined for English-language learners

See reveal defined for kids

Examples of reveal in a Sentence

She would not reveal the secret.
The test revealed the true cause of death.
It was revealed that they stole over $1 million.
They revealed the plans for the new building.
The expression on his face revealed how he felt.
The curtain was lifted to reveal the grand prize.
Pulling up the carpeting revealed the home's beautiful hardwood floors.

Recent Examples of reveal from the Web

Ly said Metro did not release information on the shooting because D.C. police, as the lead agency, determine which details to reveal — and when — to maintain the integrity of the investigation.

— faiz siddiqui, Washington Post, "Police continue to search for perpetrator in chilling video of shooting at top of Metro escalator," 30 Aug. 2017
Cornplanter had described his brother’s vision to the villagers soon after it was revealed in mid-June.

— Longreads, "America’s First Addiction Epidemic," 29 Aug. 2017
The plan was revealed in May and presented as a sole source contract to Burns & McDonnell.

— lynn horsley and steve vockrodt, kansascity, "Mayor accuses council aide of improper contact with representative of KCI bidder," 29 Aug. 2017
But seemingly mundane experiences, Ear Hustle suggests, can reveal those human truths.

— galen beebe, The Atlantic, "The Podcast Made From Inside Prison," 27 Aug. 2017
And Chicago Tribune investigations have revealed questionable actions by lottery management, including ending scratch-off games before awarding grand prizes.

— gregory pratt, Daily Southtown, "Retired Palos Heights woman claims $393 million jackpot: 'An out of body experience'," 25 Aug. 2017
Since then, multiple studies have revealed writing’s salutary effects on people who are combating illnesses.

— natalie jacewicz, Kaiser Health News, "Writing Your Way Through Cancer," 25 Aug. 2017
Below, the Cut reveals some of the wildest conspiracy theories, and the truth.

— kathleen hou, The Cut, "10 Conspiracy Theories About the World’s Most Infamous Skin Cream," 23 Aug. 2017
The progressive possession of an indestructible moral purity, and their sneering dismissiveness of any rival framework, fundamentally reveals an impatience with, rather than a respect for, pluralism.

— berny belvedere, National Review, "The Destructive Power of Progressive Overreach," 22 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'reveal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of reveal

Middle English revelen, from Anglo-French reveler, from Latin revelare to uncover, reveal, from re- + velare to cover, veil, from velum veil

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First Known Use: 14th century

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reveal Synonyms

Synonyms

bare, disclose, discover, divulge, expose, let on (about), spill, tell, unbosom, uncloak, uncover, unmask, unveil, bring to light, go public (with), let the cat out of the bag (about), spill the beans (about)

Antonyms

cloak, conceal, cover (up), enshroud, hide, mask, shroud, veil

Related Words

confide, share; debunk, show up; unclothe, undrape; advertise, announce, blaze, bring out, broadcast, declare, placard, post, proclaim, promulgate, publicize, publish, sound; betray, blab, give away, leak; inform, squeal, talk; communicate, impart, relate; acknowledge, admit, avow, concede, confess, own; disinter, rake up, smoke out, unearth

Near Antonyms

camouflage, disguise; gild, gloss (over), varnish, whitewash; becloud, bedim, befog, cloud, darken, eclipse, obscure, overcast, overshadow, shade

Synonym Discussion of reveal

reveal, disclose, divulge, tell, betray 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

disclose may imply a discovering but more often an imparting of information previously kept secret.

- candidates must disclose their financial assets

divulge implies a disclosure involving some impropriety or breach of confidence.

- refused to divulge an anonymous source

tell implies an imparting of necessary or useful information.

- told them what he had overheard

betray implies a divulging that represents a breach of faith or an involuntary or unconscious disclosure.

- a blush that betrayed her embarrassment

reveal

noun

Definition of reveal

:the side of an opening (as for a window) between a frame and the outer surface of a wall; also :jamb

Origin and Etymology of reveal

alteration of earlier revale, probably ultimately from Middle French ravaler to reduce the depth of (masonry or wood), literally, to take back down, from Old French, from re- + avaler to let fall — more at vail

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First Known Use: 1688

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