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 The initial story in The Atlantic had only described the operational part of the message chain, but did not divulge specifics. Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2025 Schumer, 43, divulged her success with a new weight-loss medication before asking about the use of surnames within the royal family. Tracy Wright, Fox News, 24 Mar. 2025 When information is a premium and even seen as a currency of its own, AI models can be designed to delve more deeply into users divulging vast amounts of personal information. Zak Doffman, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025 As a private company, Musk is not required to divulge as much about X's business and products as Twitter needed to when it was publicly traded. Axios, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for divulge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for divulge
Verb
  • It was not disclosed whether the building had working smoke detectors, but Fire Chief Robert Cagann urged residents in the release to make sure home smoke alarms are working and escape plans made in case of an emergency.
    Courier-News, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025
  • And that’s indeed already happening, probably in insidious ways that aren’t publicly disclosed.
    Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • The list also reveals the male and female names that are the most popular: Olivia and Emma ranked No. 1 and No. 2 for girls, and Liam and Noah ranked No. 1 and No. 2 for boys.
    Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 13 May 2025
  • The Lobby Boyz member revealed that he was not charged in the shooting, despite it not being deemed self-defense.
    Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • After following up with participants, researchers discovered that 1,407 received a heart failure diagnosis.
    Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 16 May 2025
  • Aicha discovers that Ruby had been there with a man driving a Porsche Taycan Turbo.
    Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo told reporters she was caught off guard by the news, and has asked the prosecutor's office to ask the U.S. Department of Justice for more information.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 15 May 2025
  • Norman was allegedly dragged about a half-mile up the road before he was eventually ejected from the vehicle, the police told the outlets.
    Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 14 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Divulge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/divulge. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

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