divulge

Divulge is a transitive verb meaning to reveal or make known something that was previously secret or private. It is used when someone discloses information that others were not supposed to know, such as confidential details, personal confidences, or restricted facts. The act often implies breaking a trust or raising information that was meant to remain undisclosed.

Etymology and form: Divulge comes from Latin divulgare, meaning to lay open or reveal, via Old French divulguer. It is typically pronounced dih-VUHLJ. The verb takes direct objects (divulge something) and has forms such as divulging (present participle) and divulged (past tense). The noun forms are divulgence or disclosure.

Usage and context: Divulge tends to be more formal or literary than verbs like reveal or disclose. It often carries a sense of revealing sensitive or private information. It may be used in legal, journalistic, or ethical discussions. Contexts include refusing to divulge details, reporting that an investigation divulged new facts, or noting that individual sources should not be divulged without consent. There are exemptions in some jurisdictions or situations, such as compelled disclosure by a court or protections for whistleblowers in matters of public interest.

Related terms: Synonyms include disclose and reveal; related actions include divulging and divulgence. Antonyms include conceal, withhold, and suppress. Usage notes: choose divulge when emphasizing the breach of confidentiality or the release of sensitive information.