refused to divulge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "refused to divulge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone is unwilling to reveal or share information. Example: "Despite repeated questioning, the witness refused to divulge any details about the incident."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She laughed, but refused to divulge.

The New York Times

Again petitioner refused to divulge their names.

Cornell University

Morris refused to divulge the contract's terms.

The New Yorker

He refused to divulge his salary.

The New Yorker

which she refused to divulge even when she became Governor.

The New York Times

The suspect has refused to divulge his password.

The New York Times - Tech

But Olympic officials refused to divulge any details.

The New York Times - Sports

(Already, Alibaba has refused to divulge how it calculates its credit scores, citing a "complex algorithm").

The New Yorker

She refused to divulge the catering plans, but she said bite-size treats were being considered.

The New York Times

Mr. Brown, citing security considerations, has refused to divulge the precise figure.

The New York Times

While she refused to divulge her winnings, she smiled broadly and said: "It's worth it.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "refused to divulge" when you want to emphasize a deliberate unwillingness to share specific information, often in a formal or investigative context. It's stronger than simply saying someone didn't share something; it implies a conscious choice to withhold.

Common error

Avoid using "refused to divulge" in situations where someone simply lacks the information or is unable to share it due to confidentiality agreements. The phrase implies an active decision to withhold, not just an inability to disclose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refused to divulge" functions as a verb phrase indicating a deliberate act of withholding information. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. Examples show it often appears in contexts where sensitive information is at stake.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Academia

6%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "refused to divulge" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, particularly in news and media, to describe a deliberate withholding of information. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is effective for emphasizing a lack of cooperation or transparency. While suitable for neutral to formal communication, its strength lies in conveying the conscious choice to keep something secret. For less formal contexts, alternatives such as "wouldn't say" or "kept quiet" might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

declined to disclose

Indicates a formal refusal to provide information.

would not reveal

Implies a deliberate withholding of information.

remained tight-lipped

Suggests a strong reluctance to speak about something.

held back information

Highlights the action of withholding facts or details.

chose not to share

A more neutral way of expressing the decision not to reveal something.

kept secret

Focuses on the act of maintaining secrecy, rather than the refusal to share.

suppressed the information

Indicates a deliberate effort to prevent information from becoming public.

did not unveil

Emphasizes the act of not making something known or visible.

stonewalled inquiries

Suggests a deliberate obstruction of attempts to get information.

clammed up

An informal way to say someone stopped talking or refused to provide information.

FAQs

How can I use "refused to divulge" in a sentence?

You can use "refused to divulge" to indicate someone's unwillingness to reveal information. For example, "The suspect "refused to divulge" his whereabouts on the night of the crime."

What are some alternatives to "refused to divulge"?

Alternatives include "declined to disclose", "would not reveal", or "remained tight-lipped". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "refused to divulge" or "wouldn't say"?

"Refused to divulge" is more formal and suggests a deliberate withholding of information. "Wouldn't say" is more casual and could simply indicate a lack of willingness to speak about something.

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

The phrases are very similar, but "refused to divulge" often implies withholding information that is considered secret or sensitive. "Refused to reveal" is a more general term.