divulge
Americanverb (used with object)
-
divulges,
present (3rd person singular)
-
divulged,
past participle, past
-
divulging
present participle
verb
Synonym Usage
See reveal.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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divulgementnoun
-
divulgencenoun
-
divulgernoun
-
nondivulgingadjective
-
undivulgedadjective
-
undivulgingadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
divulgesimple
-
divulgessimple
-
have divulgedperfect
-
has divulgedperfect
-
am divulgingprogressive
-
are divulgingprogressive
-
is divulgingprogressive
-
have been divulgingperfect progressive
-
has been divulgingperfect progressive
Past
-
divulgedsimple
-
had divulgedperfect
-
was divulgingprogressive
-
were divulgingprogressive
-
had been divulgingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of divulge
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English (from Anglo-French ), from Latin dīvulgāre, equivalent to dī- di- 2 + vulgāre “to make general or common, to spread” ( vulg(us) “the masses” + -āre infinitive suffix)
Explanation
If you've been sneaking around with your best friend's boyfriend, that's probably one secret you don't want to divulge, because revealing that tidbit of information will probably cut your friendship short. Divulge often precedes the word secret, because it means to reveal something, and that something is often of a personal or private nature. A gossip columnist's job is to divulge which celebrities are secretly dating and which ones have been caught in embarrassing situations. Although the word comes from the Latin word for making something public to the masses, it can also be used to describe information passed from one person to another. For example, a mother could divulge to her daughter that she was adopted.
Vocabulary lists containing divulge
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Grynkewich's intervention looks unlikely to divulge many new details on NATO's strategy and is intended to both send a signal to Moscow and reassure members on the alliance's eastern flank.
From Barron's ● Oct. 12, 2026
The couple said they later made the rounds, visiting friends and family to divulge their secret nuptials.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026
They entered a legally binding agreement which the BBC will not divulge the details of.
From BBC ● Jun. 25, 2026
Bolter declined to divulge more about his conversation with the FBI, which has not been previously reported, but allegations from Bolter’s 2020 affidavit were central to some conspiracy theories about the 2020 election.
From Salon ● Jun. 12, 2026
Died August 12, 1869: this last, the date, added later, crudely with a chisel, who even dead did not divulge where and when he had been born.
From "Absalom, Absalom!" by William Faulkner
The cook, author and TV personality divulges her secret ingredient and other cooking tips.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 18, 2026
He claims to have secured decisive concessions that he rarely divulges and promises a resolution to the crisis, causing markets to swing dramatically.
From Barron's ● Mar. 23, 2026
Someone who divulges the details of her real estate portfolio in lieu of exchanging pleasantries.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 2, 2024
For their part, Buscemi and Thompson utilize the complementary power of stillness and the close-up to create a portrait of a woman who hears so much and divulges so little.
From New York Times ● Mar. 28, 2024
Some shout at victory's loud acclaim, Some fall that victory to assure, But time divulges that in name, Alone, our triumphs are secure.
From Miles Wallingford Sequel to "Afloat and Ashore" by James Fenimore Cooper
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky divulged the current location of two captured soldiers, irking South Korea who thought such disclosures were off-limits.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026
The authorities have not divulged which inmates had inhabited the luxury accommodation, nor said what will happen to them now.
From Barron's ● Sep. 30, 2026
Each family is believed to have received between $2.5 million and $3 million, but exact amounts have not been divulged because of a nondisclosure agreement.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2026
Arm Holdings just divulged a new figure related to its plans to start making central processing units.
From MarketWatch ● May 6, 2026
Agent Burger told headquarters, “This arrangement is strictly confidential and not to be divulged outside of this Bureau to anyone, under any circumstances.”
From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann
The Salvadoran breakfast blended the two, a stage outside the U.S. spotlight, with Suozzi navigating the overlap awkwardly as he and his fellows sang The Fellowship’s praises, without naming it or divulging many details.
From Salon ● May 29, 2026
Tax preparers recognize that divulging personal finances can prove uncomfortable for clients.
From MarketWatch ● Mar. 13, 2026
County medical examiner from divulging autopsy results and other details related to the girl’s death that would otherwise be made public.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 26, 2026
He said he believed in love at first sight - then added that he himself was in love, without divulging any more details.
From BBC ● Dec. 19, 2025
Clearly she’d kept her own secrets for this long, why would she start divulging now?
From "Dactyl Hill Squad" by Daniel José Older
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