reveal

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb reveal differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of reveal are betray, disclose, divulge, and tell. While all these words 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

When is betray a more appropriate choice than reveal?

The words betray and reveal are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, betray implies a divulging that represents a breach of faith or an involuntary or unconscious disclosure.

a blush that betrayed her embarrassment

When can disclose be used instead of reveal?

While in some cases nearly identical to reveal, disclose may imply a discovering but more often an imparting of information previously kept secret.

candidates must disclose their financial assets

When could divulge be used to replace reveal?

While the synonyms divulge and reveal are close in meaning, divulge implies a disclosure involving some impropriety or breach of confidence.

refused to divulge an anonymous source

In what contexts can tell take the place of reveal?

The synonyms tell and reveal 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 reveal Stone’s spokesperson, Deborah R. Champagne, revealed to TMZ that Stone was involved in a car accident early Saturday after leaving a concert in Montgomery, Alabama. Shelby Stewart, Essence, 1 Mar. 2025 In February 2024, Williams' medical care team revealed the 60-year-old television personality had been diagnosed with progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Esther Kang, People.com, 1 Mar. 2025 Musk's role in Trump administration The White House revealed on Tuesday that DOGE's acting administrator is Amy Gleason, a former official at the U.S. Digital Service. Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2025 Auburn Tigers head coach Hugh Freeze was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer, the university revealed on Friday. Chantz Martin, Fox News, 1 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for reveal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reveal
Verb
  • Sherman also disclosed that the dispute partly arose over concerns that Catherine Wu, an adviser to his father, had been interfering with the affairs of City Developments’ subsidiary Millennium & Copthorne Hotels and that presented a very serious corporate governance issue.
    Jonathan Burgos, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
  • List of Settlements with Claim Deadline in March Fandango Fandango agreed to pay $9 million following claims that the company failed to disclose fees for movie tickets in New York.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 1 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • With all precincts reporting, the Will County election results show 59.44% for Steilen and 40.56% for Balich in the supervisor’s race.
    Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Research shows that today’s students are graduating from high school undecided and anxious about their futures.
    Jean Eddy, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • This fall the community discovered another problem.
    Emily Schwing, NPR, 4 Mar. 2025
  • The feature-length doc will explore how Falco, part of the largest species of owl in the world, was discovered missing from his cage at the Central Park Zoo in Manhattan.
    Addie Morfoot, Variety, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Its Backup Storage area displays the backups and the option to conduct remote restorations.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 25 Feb. 2025
  • The real question is: Would Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration ever allow a puppet of a Hamas terrorist with bloody words about Oct. 7 be displayed at the Cultural Center?
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • However, deputies also uncovered an unexpected aquatic trove: 35 live abalone, a northwestern pond turtle, wet clothing and tools apparently used to pry abalone from rocks, authorities said in a statement.
    Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2025
  • Connecting with industry peers on platforms like X or LinkedIn can uncover hidden opportunities.
    Jack Kelly, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Our Patriots will take to the streets to peacefully demonstrate.
    Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 2 Mar. 2025
  • That means making sure the youngster can demonstrate enough self-control that allows the educational process to function.
    Vincent Turley, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Alex Pereira has heard what Magomed Ankalaev and his team have been saying ahead of their light heavyweight title clash at UFC 313 and has told his opposite number to put his money where his mouth is.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
  • The first will take place June 7 at 7 p.m., and the second is on July 26 at 2 p.m. Column: The Ben Johnson-Ryan Poles union sparks optimism — but Chicago Bears’ heavy lifting has just begun Time will tell, writes Dan Wiederer.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Yet even these lone voices failed to call out Trump for betraying Zelensky and adopting the talking points of a brutal regime that invaded Ukraine with no provocation three years ago.
    Mordechai Gordon, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Others, not without justice, will skip the climax and denouement altogether, so obviously and suddenly does the production betray its early triumphs.
    Graham Hillard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 Feb. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Reveal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reveal. Accessed 11 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on reveal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!