decline to disclose

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decline to disclose" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you wish to politely refuse to give out information. For example: When asked for personal financial information, the candidate politely declined to disclose.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Journals generally decline to disclose such data.

The New York Times - Health

But he would not comment on whether he would meet their demands, which they decline to disclose.

The New York Times

As for Paramore, executives say they still view the band as an investment, and decline to disclose financial details of Atlantic's arrangement.

The New York Times - Arts

Although the two men decline to disclose what ownership percentages were discussed over breakfast, Mr. Levin recalled: "It was clear that we weren't together.

The New York Times

Like most nonprofit groups, the Berman organizations decline to disclose their donors — and though Mr. Berman does say that chain-restaurant and beverage companies are among them, he also says the nonprofits have "thousands" of small donors.

The New York Times

Her solution: "I will no longer link to any writer who does not disclose his identity and affiliations in an obvious place or manner, or reply to online commenters who decline to disclose their names".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Other banks declined to disclose their policies.

The New York Times

The publisher declined to disclose the advance.

The New York Times

It declined to disclose the offer price.

The New York Times

It declined to disclose its revenues.

The New York Times

A spokesman declined to disclose the advance.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting on someone else's refusal to provide information, follow "decline to disclose" with a brief explanation of why they are not providing the information, if known. This provides context for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "decline to disclose" in casual conversations. It sounds overly formal and can be perceived as evasive in informal settings. Opt for simpler phrases like "I'd rather not say" or "I'm not comfortable sharing that".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decline to disclose" functions as a verbal expression used to indicate a polite refusal to provide specific information. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It is often used in response to a direct question or request for details that the speaker or writer prefers not to reveal.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "decline to disclose" is a useful expression for politely refusing to provide specific information, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's grammatically correct and most appropriate for formal or professional contexts, particularly in news and media or business settings. While effective for maintaining privacy or avoiding conflict, it should be used judiciously in informal settings to avoid sounding evasive. Alternatives like "refuse to reveal" or "opt not to divulge" can be used depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decline to reveal

Replace "disclose" with a direct synonym.

refuse to reveal

Uses "refuse" instead of "decline", emphasizing a stronger unwillingness to reveal something.

refrain from disclosing

A more formal variation using "refrain" to indicate abstinence from disclosing.

opt not to divulge

Replaces "decline" with "opt not to" and "disclose" with "divulge", creating a more formal tone.

choose not to share

Uses simpler vocabulary, making it less formal than "decline to disclose".

remain silent about

Shifts the focus to remaining silent, highlighting the lack of information shared.

keep confidential

Emphasizes maintaining confidentiality rather than a direct refusal to disclose.

withhold information

Focuses on the act of withholding information, rather than the decision not to disclose.

not make public

Highlights the lack of public announcement or revelation.

hold back from revealing

Indicates a deliberate holding back of information.

FAQs

What does "decline to disclose" mean?

The phrase "decline to disclose" means to politely refuse to give specific information. It's commonly used when someone doesn't want to reveal details for privacy, strategic, or other reasons.

When is it appropriate to use "decline to disclose"?

It's appropriate to use "decline to disclose" in formal or professional settings when you need to politely refuse to provide information. It's often used in business, legal, or journalistic contexts.

What are some alternative phrases for "decline to disclose"?

You can use alternatives like "refuse to reveal", "opt not to divulge", or "choose not to share" depending on the context and level of formality you want to convey.

Is "decline to disclose" the same as "refuse to disclose"?

While similar, "decline to disclose" is generally considered more polite and formal than "refuse to disclose". "Decline" suggests a polite unwillingness, while "refuse" can imply a stronger, more direct rejection.