disclose

1 of 2

verb

dis·​close dis-ˈklōz How to pronounce disclose (audio)
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 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
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

Example Sentences

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
Both REITs already disclose scope 1 and 2 emissions. Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2023 Kering does not disclose individual results for Balenciaga, classing it with a handful of other brands, which collectively experienced a four-per-cent drop in revenues in the fourth quarter. Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2023 The Fed’s report is expected to disclose information about Silicon Valley Bank that is usually kept private as part of the confidential bank oversight process. Jeanna Smialek, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2023 The Arkansas State Police report didn't disclose the name of the person driving the Dodge. Thomas Saccente, Arkansas Online, 17 Mar. 2023 Bansbach said the snails were discovered when the traveler failed to disclose the contents of his luggage, requiring further inspection. Marina Johnson, Detroit Free Press, 17 Mar. 2023 Now, Credit Suisse is facing legal action from U.S. shareholders who allege the Swiss Bank failed to disclose its financial woes and violated securities laws. Thomas Catenacci, Fox News, 17 Mar. 2023 These men are just a few in the more than a dozen people have been exonerated so far this year, due to wrongful convictions based on misidentifications, false confessions, police failure to disclose evidence and more. Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 17 Mar. 2023 Espinosa declined to give more specifics, saying the company doesn’t disclose details around its Trust & Safety mechanisms to prevent individuals from circumventing those systems. Jesselyn Cook, NBC News, 14 Mar. 2023
Noun
There’s no reason that more aggressive disclose of vulnerabilities through the VEP would change such activities. Sam Biddle, The Intercept, 12 May 2017 See More

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

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of disclose was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near disclose

Cite this Entry

“Disclose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disclose. Accessed 27 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

disclose

verb
dis·​close
dis-ˈklōz
: to make known
disclose secrets
discloser noun

Legal Definition

disclose

transitive verb
dis·​close dis-ˈklōz How to pronounce disclose (audio)
: to make known or reveal to another or to the public

More from Merriam-Webster on disclose

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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