Logo
dictionary thesaurus

divulge

verb
di·​vulge | \ də-ˈvəlj How to pronounce divulge (audio) , dī-\
divulged; divulging

Definition of divulge

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
Other Words from divulge Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about divulge

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from divulge

divulgence \ də-​ˈvəl-​jən(t)s How to pronounce divulgence (audio) , dī-​ \ noun

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

Did You Know?

It isn't vulgar to make known the roots of divulge - and that sentence contains two hints about the word's origin. "Divulge" was borrowed into Middle English in the 15th century from Latin divulgare, a word that combines the prefix dis-, which meant "apart" or "in different directions" in Latin, with vulgare, meaning "to make known." "Vulgare," in turn, derives from the Latin noun vulgus, meaning "mob" or "common people. As you have no doubt guessed, English "vulgar" is another word which can be traced back to "vulgus"; it came into use about a century before "divulge."

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

 Critics raised constitutional concerns: given First Amendment guarantees of religious freedom, could the state force confessors to divulge information shared in confidence? — San Diego Union-Tribune, "‘I confess': should the ‘seal of the confessional’ protect pedophiles?," 4 Aug. 2019 Even if Davis makes his debut Friday — along with defensive linemen Trey Flowers, Damon Harrison and Mike Daniels — the Lions likely won’t divulge many of the nuances of their defensive scheme. — Carlos Monarrez, Detroit Free Press, "What Jarrad Davis thinks of Detroit Lions' potential on defense," 21 Aug. 2019 Yesterday, the royal family celebrated Princess Beatrice's 31st birthday on social media—and her sister divulged a previously unknown piece of information in the process. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "Princess Eugenie Reveals Princess Beatrice's Secret Nickname on Instagram," 9 Aug. 2019 One of the search warrants said officials in the conversation may have illegally divulged confidential government information. — Danica Coto, The Denver Post, "Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló resigns in face of protests," 25 July 2019 The victim sustained a non-life-threatening injury, but it was not divulged where he was shot. — Stephen Ruiz, orlandosentinel.com, "Man hospitalized after shooting at Quality Inn, Orange deputies say," 7 June 2019 Swiss privacy laws are such that neither of the men’s names is divulged, and information about court cases is not publicly available. — Denise Hruby, National Geographic, "This Amazon bird’s eggs are black-market gold. Here’s why.," 5 June 2019 Matthew Polly divulged the backstory of why Polanski suspected Lee of committing the crime. — Eric Todisco, PEOPLE.com, "Why Bruce Lee Was a Suspect in the Gruesome Murder of Sharon Tate," 26 July 2019 Wagner also divulged that her go-to treat is cookies. — Rebecca Angel Baer, Southern Living, "WATCH: One Hallmark Star Always Has This Southern Ingredient with Her on Location," 16 July 2019

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

See More

First Known Use of divulge

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

History and Etymology for divulge

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

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for divulge

divulge

verb
How to pronounce divulge (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of divulge

formal : to make (information) known : to give (information) to someone

See the full definition for divulge in the English Language Learners Dictionary

divulge

verb
di·​vulge | \ də-ˈvəlj How to pronounce divulge (audio) , dī-\
divulged; divulging

Kids Definition of divulge

: to make known to others : reveal, disclose divulge a secret

Keep scrolling for more

WORD OF THE DAY

rambunctious

play

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!