divulge

verb

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

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
divulgence noun

Did you know?

Information divulged is typically secret, or known only to insiders, and it isn't usually shouted from the rooftops. But when divulge first entered English in the 15th century, it did so as a synonym of proclaim: divulging involved declaring or announcing something to the public, a duty of town criers from Lizard Point to Dunnet Head. The word’s source is Latin vulgare, “to make known,” which traces ultimately back to the Latin noun vulgus, meaning “common people” or “mob.” While nowadays divulge can presumably involve blabbing to the rabble, the word usually implies a more careful and considered approach to sharing sensitive information.

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

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 More track editions will evolve out of the upcoming hybrids, but Winkelmann wouldn't divulge any details just yet. Caleb Miller, Car and Driver, 1 Feb. 2023 Police on Monday continued searching the suspect's home in Hemet, a small city about 85 miles east of Los Angeles, and did not divulge a motive. Safia Samee Ali, NBC News, 24 Jan. 2023 Elliott would not divulge the size of its position in Salesforce to CNN Business, but the company did confirm its investment. Paul R. La Monica, CNN, 23 Jan. 2023 The official Hulu account replied to a fan's question about Season 3's arrival on Twitter and wouldn't divulge. Amy Haneline, USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2023 The director wouldn’t divulge any other details about the sequels. Hunter Harris, Vulture, 2 Jan. 2023 Goltz would not divulge during the board meeting which business names hope to sign at Willows Crossing. Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 9 Dec. 2022 In a running joke, the staff of El Faro admonished one another not to divulge sensitive details in newsroom meetings, lest Peter Dumas, the head of the country’s intelligence agency, overhear them. Ronan Farrow, The New Yorker, 30 Nov. 2022 New York City employers are starting to divulge more details about salaries ahead of a law taking effect this week that will require nearly all new job postings to include a pay range, a move expected to reshape workplaces and how companies hire. WSJ, 31 Oct. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'divulge.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of divulge was in the 15th century

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Dictionary Entries Near divulge

Cite this Entry

“Divulge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/divulge. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

divulge

verb
di·​vulge də-ˈvəlj How to pronounce divulge (audio)
dī-
divulged; divulging
: to make public : disclose
divulgence noun

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