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

Example 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 By then, Salvadoran journalists and courts had already revealed that the main political parties in the country had negotiated with the gangs in some form since around 2012. Danielle MacKey, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2025 The report also revealed that builders are also being forced to slash selling prices to entice reluctant buyers, as high mortgage rates and soaring prices force many aspiring homeowners to the sidelines of the market. Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025 But evidence gathered from witnesses, surveillance video footage and text messages revealed the men operated a dog breeding business, according to court records. Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2025 While Garcia didn't reveal any other details about the baby, the video showed a close-up of the little one wrapped in a purple swaddle. Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 18 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for reveal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reveal
Verb
  • Information on the film’s production budget or prints and advertising cost has not been disclosed.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
  • The man's cause of death has not been disclosed at this time.
    Escher Walcott, People.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • His prominent role in Game 3 -- which was a big reason the Knicks' offensive rating jumped to 120.8 from 101.9 in Game 2 -- showed that coach Tom Thibodeau and the Knicks have learned their lesson about keeping Towns involved in the offense.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Text messages sent in the hours leading up to O’Keefe’s death read aloud to the court by a Massachusetts state trooper show the couple were at a strained point in their relationship.
    Michael Loria, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • First discovered: 9:05 p.m. April 21 Initial location: Humboldt County, Calif. Fire type: Wildfire Fire name: Village A new wildfire was reported today at 9:05 p.m. in Humboldt County.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 22 Apr. 2025
  • In an Episode 2 hospital flashback, Abby discovers her father, who was about to remove Ellie's brain for a humanity-saving cure.
    Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The museum’s Vietnam Gallery displays Mills’ uniform, flight helmet and medals.
    Eric E. Harrison, Arkansas Online, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Federal authorities allege Cui and Miller paid two other people about $36,500 to convince the victim not to display the statues.
    Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • No matter the event, the value always comes back to the relationships between the members and the emphasis on uncovering the value of a holistic approach to ambition and a life well lived.
    Kody Boye, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Archaeologists in Germany recently uncovered a trove of artifacts from a 17th-century military camp — including some that shed light onto a mysterious grave.
    Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • That call demonstrates, Parrish said, why fire departments and utility companies are cautious when working a gas leak.
    Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Jack Moorhouse, a 19-year-old midfielder, has demonstrated an ability to pick up the ball and carry it up the pitch at youth level — an attribute sorely lacking among the first-team squad.
    Mark Critchley, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The percentage tells the public how much of the fire perimeter is believed to not go beyond the control lines.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • That moment — the explosion, the roar — only told part of the story.
    Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 20 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • But in his first public comments on President Donald Trump’s tariff war, Chinese leader Xi Jinping did not betray any concern.
    Ann Scott Tyson, Christian Science Monitor, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Sky Wee’s perspective is clear: institutional adoption, while potentially transformative, doesn’t necessarily betray Bitcoin’s core principles.
    Max (Chong) Li, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Reveal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reveal. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

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