divulgate

A scholar divulgates a secret from an ancient scroll.

Definition

1. Verb:
   • To make known publicly: "divulgate" means to reveal or disclose something that was previously secret or private. It is a formal, often archaic term for publishing or spreading information widely.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • The journalist was careful not to divulgate the confidential details of the investigation. (To avoid revealing secret information.)
  • Ancient texts sometimes divulgate the hidden knowledge of early civilizations. (To make public previously unknown facts.)

Advanced Usage

• "to divulgate a secret": to intentionally or unintentionally reveal a secret.

  • She accidentally divulgated the surprise party plans to the guests. (She disclosed the secret before the intended time.)

• "to divulgate information": to spread or broadcast information to a wide audience.

  • The government decided to divulgate the findings of the scientific report. (To make the report publicly available.)

Variants and Related Words

• Divulgation (n): the act of making something known; disclosure.

  • The divulgation of the merger plans caused a stir in the stock market. (The act of revealing the plans.)

• Divulge (v): a more common synonym meaning to reveal or make known.

  • He refused to divulge his source. (He would not reveal his source.)

Synonyms

• Disclose: to make something known, especially confidential information.
• Reveal: to make something secret known to others.
• Publish: to make information available to the public, often in print or online.

Related Idioms

• Let the cat out of the bag: to reveal a secret unintentionally.

  • By mentioning the party, he let the cat out of the bag. (He accidentally disclosed the secret.)

• Spill the beans: to reveal secret information, often carelessly.

  • She spilled the beans about the promotion before the official announcement. (She revealed the secret prematurely.)