reveal

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb reveal differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of reveal are betray, disclose, divulge, and tell. While all these words 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

When is betray a more appropriate choice than reveal?

The words betray and reveal are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, betray implies a divulging that represents a breach of faith or an involuntary or unconscious disclosure.

a blush that betrayed her embarrassment

When can disclose be used instead of reveal?

While in some cases nearly identical to reveal, disclose may imply a discovering but more often an imparting of information previously kept secret.

candidates must disclose their financial assets

When could divulge be used to replace reveal?

While the synonyms divulge and reveal are close in meaning, divulge implies a disclosure involving some impropriety or breach of confidence.

refused to divulge an anonymous source

In what contexts can tell take the place of reveal?

The synonyms tell and reveal are sometimes interchangeable, but tell implies an imparting of necessary or useful information.

told them what he had overheard

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of reveal That deference to industry reveals a larger problem. Harsh V. Pant, Foreign Affairs, 14 Nov. 2024 The investigation reveals a dismal picture of a company with a sales culture that depends on squeezing infirm and elderly patients and the government for every penny. Peter Elkind, ProPublica, 13 Nov. 2024 This black plastic study reveals an inherent and much deeper problem with our plastic recycling system. Kristin Hostetter, Outside Online, 13 Nov. 2024 His career-high 25 points revealed a momentary glimpse of scoring potential. Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for reveal 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reveal
Verb
  • Captain Dalia Simons did not disclose how Ryan had entered the lake but said there is no sign of foul play.
    Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
  • Netflix also doesn’t disclose exactly how much actors earn for their movies, but it’s reported to be at least 80,000.00.
    Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • The claim: Pam Bondi posted on X promising to investigate Nancy Pelosi A Nov. 25 Facebook post (direct link, archive link) shows an X post about California Rep. Nancy Pelosi purportedly shared by Pam Bondi, President-elect Donald Trump's pick for U.S. attorney general.
    Andre Byik, USA TODAY, 28 Nov. 2024
  • The Morning Show star has hosted the annual celebration for years, and a 2019 post on X (formerly Twitter) showed the Practical Magic actress joining in on the fun.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Cuellar, who has served in Congress since 2005, said the bodies of the unidentified migrants were discovered Saturday morning by Mexican authorities at the Rio Grande.
    John C. Moritz, Austin American-Statesman, 21 Nov. 2024
  • Whistleblowing programs are an essential weapon in the combatting white collar crime where complex crimes are often difficult to discover without insider information.
    Steve Weisman, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • The course will cover how 2D and 3D biological images are acquired, stored, displayed, manipulated and transformed.
    Kristen Moon, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
  • Many ovulation tests display two lines: a control line and a test line.
    Christin Perry, Parents, 27 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • An attacker could use the times and phone numbers of calls—the records that AT&T lost in a massive data breach uncovered in July—for a variety of impersonation and spoofing attacks.
    Rob Pegoraro, PCMAG, 16 Nov. 2024
  • To uncover the truth about a pernicious insurance industry practice, staffers with the New York’s state attorney general’s office decided to tell a series of lies.
    Max Blau, ProPublica, 14 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Over the course of the last few weeks, the royal demonstrated her proclivity for adaptable fashion.
    Julia Teti, WWD, 20 Nov. 2024
  • But he's also demonstrated a willingness to work across the aisle with populist senators of both parties on key economic issues.
    Riley Beggin, USA TODAY, 20 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Chapple told Vassos during the show that Goree's passing was the most devastating loss of his life, ScreenRant adds.
    Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 22 Nov. 2024
  • The incident began when store management told Owusu that a man, later identified as Rosario, was behaving erratically in the store by pacing back and forth, Bishop said.
    Claire Osborn, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Stella isn’t being betrayed — if anything, she’s being reached out to, desperately, like her light-years-away namesake, by two yearning humans with their feet, at least for now, stuck on the ground.
    Sara Holdren, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2024
  • She’s blackmailed by terrorists to betray her country in order to save her husband.
    Erik Kain, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near reveal

Cite this Entry

“Reveal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reveal. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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