disclose

1 of 2

verb

dis·​close dis-ˈklōz 

disclosed; disclosing; discloses

transitive verb

1

a

: to make known or public

would not disclose his salary

b

: to expose to view

c

archaic : hatch

2

obsolete : to open up

discloser noun

plural disclosers

disclosable

dis-ˈklō-zə-bəl 

adjective

… I shall go into Mexico with a pretty definite purpose, which, however, is not at present disclosable.

—Ambrose Bierce

… he and most of the other area lawmakers contacted said any eventual solution should not result in every document they generate or receive becoming a disclosable record.

—The Daily Herald (Everett, Washington)

disclose

2 of 2

noun

obsolete

: disclosure

Synonyms

Verb

• bare
• discover
• divulge
• expose
• let on (about)
• reveal
• spill
• tell
• unbosom
• uncloak
• uncover
• unmask
• unveil

Choose the Right Synonym for disclose

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

Examples of disclose in a Sentence

Verb

He refused to disclose the source of his information.

The company has disclosed that it will be laying off thousands of workers later this year.

The identity of the victim has not yet been disclosed.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

What to know In a safety notice submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on April 24, GM disclosed that the recall affects a total of 597,630 vehicles. —Tahar Rajab, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025

The foundation then gave out $5 million grants to two political groups that do not have to disclose their donors. —Kirby Wilson, Miami Herald, 1 May 2025

Ventura and Combs settled the lawsuit within a day without disclosing the terms and with Combs denying any wrongdoing. —Adam Reiss, NBC news, 1 May 2025

The man was taken to an area hospital but the extent of his injury has not been disclosed. —Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French desclos-, stem of desclore to open, unlock, reveal, from Medieval Latin disclaudere, from Latin dis- + claudere to close — more at close entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Noun

1548, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for disclose

• aloes
• arose
• bedclothes
• bestows
• boroughs
• buboes
• cargoes
• cocos
• compose
• crossbows
• demos
• depose

Kids Definition

disclose

verb

dis·​close

dis-ˈklōz

: to make known

disclose secrets

discloser noun

Legal Definition

disclose

transitive verb

dis·​close dis-ˈklōz 

: to make known or reveal to another or to the public