divulge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "divulge" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of revealing or making known information that was previously kept secret or private. Example: "She decided to divulge the details of the project during the meeting, much to everyone's surprise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I never urged the women who accused Ghomeshi of sexual assault to divulge their names.

The Guardian - Opinion

When asked, he is reluctant to divulge any information about who makes up this exclusive fan club.

The Guardian

While Wirth would not divulge the extent of his budget, as a rule of thumb a top team would expect to spend a minimum of £20m, including the luxury of a deal with a major manufacturer whereby engines are supplied either free or for a nominal sum.

The Guardian - Sport

Stew, could you divulge something detestable about yourself to help quell my longstanding crush on you?

The Guardian

The possibility also exists that Neathway could divulge additional information that would damage Cashman's standing with the Yankees, cause embarrassment for the team and cast doubts about his personal judgment.

The New York Times - Sports

Whether it's a leaflet making unlikely or misleading claims, or perhaps a local candidate who is less than keen to divulge which party he is representing, we want to see the best (and worst) of the political leaflets arriving on your doorstep.

The Guardian

Most councils refused to divulge details of how much funding they were receiving under Prevent, citing national security.

The Guardian

They worry that, in guessing, that they could accidentally divulge new information that they haven't shared with him before, and their concerns ultimately won't be respected – a circumstance which at least one woman has already experienced during Donovan's original reporting.

The Guardian - Opinion

While refusing to divulge any of the "highs and lows" - videotaped in her Knightsbridge hotel room at the end of each day's campaigning - she insisted last night that the diary is not intended to attack any member of the Hague shadow team.

The Guardian

The hospital refused to divulge precisely what the 563 cases involved.

The Guardian

That's actually a pretty healthy attitude as long as he does not divulge anything through those online channels that he would rather keep private.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "divulge" when you want to emphasize the revealing of something that was meant to be kept secret or private. It often carries a connotation of betrayal or indiscretion if the information was shared without permission.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "divulge" sounds overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler synonyms like "reveal" or "tell" in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "divulge" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating what information is being revealed. Ludwig examples show it used to describe the act of making secrets or confidential information known.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

14%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Divulge" is a transitive verb that means to reveal something private or secret. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage, particularly in formal contexts such as news and media. Related phrases include "reveal", "disclose", and "unveil", each with nuanced differences. When writing, remember that "divulge" is most appropriate when the information was intended to be kept confidential. Avoid overuse in informal settings, where simpler terms like "tell" might be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reveal

A general term for making something known that was previously secret or hidden.

disclose

Similar to reveal, but often used in more formal or legal contexts.

make public

Emphasizes the act of bringing something into the open.

make known

A more formal way of saying "reveal" or "disclose".

unveil

Suggests a more dramatic or ceremonious revealing.

bring to light

Highlights the act of uncovering something previously unknown or concealed.

give away

Implies unintentionally revealing something.

leak

Often used when information is revealed unofficially or without authorization.

let slip

Suggests accidentally revealing a secret.

come out with

To disclose something, often after hesitation or reluctance.

FAQs

How to use "divulge" in a sentence?

You can use "divulge" when you want to describe the act of revealing information that was previously secret or private. For example, "She decided to "divulge" the details of the project during the meeting, much to everyone's surprise."

What can I say instead of "divulge"?

You can use alternatives like "reveal", "disclose", or "unveil" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the word "divulge"?

"Divulge" is appropriate when you want to emphasize the act of revealing something that was supposed to be kept secret. It is often used in formal contexts such as news reporting or legal settings, where the information being revealed is sensitive or confidential.

What's the difference between ""divulge"" and "reveal"?

While both words mean to make something known, ""divulge"" specifically implies revealing something that was previously secret or private, whereas "reveal" is a more general term.