divulge

verb

di·​vulge də-ˈvəlj 

dī-

divulged; divulging

transitive verb

1

: to make known (something, such as a confidence or secret)

refused to divulge the name of her informant

divulge the company's sales figures

2

archaic : to make public : proclaim

divulgence

də-ˈvəl-jən(t)s 

dī-

noun

Did you know?

Information divulged is typically secret, or known only to insiders, and it isn't usually shouted from the rooftops. But when divulge first entered English in the 15th century, it did so as a synonym of proclaim: divulging involved declaring or announcing something to the public, a duty of town criers from Lizard Point to Dunnet Head. The word’s source is Latin vulgare, “to make known,” which traces ultimately back to the Latin noun vulgus, meaning “common people” or “mob.” While nowadays divulge can presumably involve blabbing to the rabble, the word usually implies a more careful and considered approach to sharing sensitive information.

Synonyms

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

Choose the Right Synonym for divulge

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 divulge in a Sentence

The company will not divulge its sales figures.

we tried to make him divulge the name of the winner, but he wouldn't budge

Recent Examples on the Web

More track editions will evolve out of the upcoming hybrids, but Winkelmann wouldn't divulge any details just yet. —Caleb Miller, Car and Driver, 1 Feb. 2023

Police on Monday continued searching the suspect's home in Hemet, a small city about 85 miles east of Los Angeles, and did not divulge a motive. —Safia Samee Ali, NBC News, 24 Jan. 2023

Elliott would not divulge the size of its position in Salesforce to CNN Business, but the company did confirm its investment. —Paul R. La Monica, CNN, 23 Jan. 2023

The official Hulu account replied to a fan's question about Season 3's arrival on Twitter and wouldn't divulge. —Amy Haneline, USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin divulgare, from dis- + vulgare to make known, from vulgus mob

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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Kids Definition

divulge

verb

di·​vulge də-ˈvəlj 

dī-

divulged; divulging

: to make public : disclose

divulgence

-ˈvəl-jən(t)s 

noun