divulge
divulge
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "divulge" is /dɪˈvʌldʒ/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
di-: /dɪ/
/d/ as in "dog"
/ɪ/ as in "bit"
vulge: /ˈvʌldʒ/
/ˈ/ indicates the primary stress is on this syllable
/v/ as in "van"
/ʌ/ as in "cut"
/l/ as in "lip"
/dʒ/ as in "judge"
Word Form Variations
"Divulge" itself is a verb. Here are the related word forms:
divulge (verb - present tense): He divulges secrets.
divulged (verb - past tense and past participle): She divulged the information yesterday. The information was divulged to the press.
divulging (verb - present participle): They are divulging confidential details.
divulger (noun - person who divulges): He was known as a habitual divulger of gossip.
divulgence (noun - the act of divulging): The divulgence of the classified documents caused a scandal.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Verb:
divulge (v.) - To make known private or sensitive information; to reveal something previously hidden or secret.
Synonyms: disclose, reveal, impart, unveil, betray (can have negative connotations), communicate, tell, make public
Antonyms: conceal, hide, suppress, withhold, keep secret, bury, obfuscate
Noun:
divulgence (n.) - The act or process of divulging; the disclosure of something private or secret.
Synonyms: disclosure, revelation, leak, exposure, communication, imparting
Antonyms: concealment, secrecy, suppression, nondisclosure, confidentiality
divulger (n.) - A person who divulges information, especially secrets or confidential matters.
Synonyms: revealer, discloser, informant, leaker, betrayer (can have negative connotations), gossip (can have negative connotations)
Antonyms: keeper of secrets, confidant, trustworthy person, silent partner
Adjective (less common, but possible in some contexts):
divulging (adj.) - Characterized by or tending to divulge; revealing. (e.g., "He had a divulging nature.")
Synonyms: revealing, communicative, forthcoming, open, talkative
Antonyms: secretive, reticent, close-mouthed, taciturn, uncommunicative
It's important to note that "divulge" and its related forms often carry a connotation of revealing something that was meant to be kept private or secret. The act of divulging can be neutral, positive (e.g., revealing the truth), or negative (e.g., betraying a confidence).
Examples of Use
Books:
"He refused to divulge the source of his information, citing journalistic privilege." (Fictional example, but representative of common usage in novels and journalistic non-fiction)
"The diary divulged secrets that had been buried for decades." (Common usage when discussing historical or biographical works)
Newspapers/Online Publications:
"Leaked documents divulged the company's plans for expansion." (News report example, often used in investigative journalism) (Imagine a source like The New York Times or The Guardian)
"The celebrity divulged details about her upcoming wedding in an exclusive interview." (Entertainment news example, common in celebrity gossip publications) (Imagine a source like People magazine or E! News)
"The study divulged surprising findings about the effects of social media on mental health." (Scientific or research reporting) (Imagine a source like Science Daily or Nature)
Entertainment Mediums/Platforms:
In a legal drama TV show: "The witness reluctantly divulged the truth under cross-examination." (Common dialogue in courtroom dramas)
In a reality TV show: "Contestants were encouraged to divulge personal information to gain an advantage." (Common trope in reality television)
In a video game: "The player had to choose whether to divulge crucial information to an NPC." (Common in role-playing games with branching narratives)
General Public Discourse:
"I'm not at liberty to divulge that information." (Common phrase used in professional or personal settings when declining to share something confidential)
"He was criticized for divulging sensitive details about the project." (Example of public discussion about the ethics of divulging information)
"The divulgence of the private emails caused a major scandal." (Example of how "divulgence" is used in discussions of leaks and breaches of privacy)
10 Famous Quotes Using Divulge
"Never divulge the source of your inspiration—it weakens the magic." — Oscar Wilde (paraphrased from his commentary on art and mystery)
"I cannot divulge what I know, only that truth is often buried beneath comfort." — James Baldwin (reflective of themes in his essays)
"Do not divulge your plans too early. Let success make the announcement." — Sun Tzu (adapted from The Art of War)
"Journalists are only as good as the people willing to divulge what’s true." — Bob Woodward
"We rarely divulge our true fears—not because we’re strong, but because we’re unsure anyone will hold them gently." — Brené Brown (in spirit)
"A magician never divulges his secrets. That’s half the act." — Penn Jillette
"To divulge is to make yourself vulnerable—but sometimes, that’s the only path to connection." — Maya Angelou (reflective tone)
"You can’t ask someone to divulge their story if you won’t share yours." — Oprah Winfrey
"People love to gossip, but they hate to divulge their own truths." — Gloria Steinem
"I won’t divulge names, but let’s just say the room got a lot quieter when I walked in." — Frank Sinatra
Etymology
Let's break down the etymology of "divulge" in a simple way:
"Divulge" comes from Latin. It's made up of two parts:
di-: This prefix means "apart" or "away." Think of words like "disappear" or "diverge."
vulgare: This part means "to make public" or "to spread among the people." It's related to the Latin word "vulgus," which means "common people" or "crowd." This is where we also get words like "vulgar" (originally meaning common, but now often meaning crude) and "vulgarity."
So, if you put it together, "divulge" literally means to "spread apart" or "make public" something that was previously kept separate or private. It's like taking something from a closed, individual space and sharing it with the wider community.
The first known use of "divulge" in English dates back to the 16th century. Its earliest meanings were very similar to its current meaning: to make known, to disclose, or to reveal something secret or private. It has retained this essential meaning throughout its history. It's always been about bringing something hidden into the open.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Divulge
Phrases (more common than idioms with "divulge" itself):
Divulge information: This is a standard phrase, often used in news reporting and formal writing. It's not an idiom, just a common collocation.
Divulge secrets: Similar to the above, this is a straightforward phrase.
Refuse to divulge: Another common usage, often in legal or investigative contexts.
Why "divulge" isn't common in idioms:
Idioms tend to be more informal and figurative. "Divulge" is a more formal and literal word. Idioms often use more concrete imagery, and "divulge" is a bit abstract.
Exploring related concepts and synonyms:
Since "divulge" is about revealing secrets, we can look at idioms related to that concept:
Spill the beans: This is a classic idiom meaning to reveal a secret. It's a colorful and informal way to express the idea of divulging.
Let the cat out of the bag: Similar to "spill the beans," this means to accidentally reveal a secret.
Blabbermouth: This refers to a person who habitually divulges secrets. It's not an idiom with "divulge" but relates to the act of divulging.
Lips are sealed: This idiom means to keep a secret. It's the opposite of divulging.
Come clean: This means to confess or reveal the truth, often after a period of hiding something. It's related to divulging in the sense of bringing something hidden into the open.
Original phrases playing on "divulge":
Divulge the hidden tapestry: This is a more metaphorical phrase, suggesting the revelation of complex or intricate information.
Divulge the whispers of the past: This phrase evokes a sense of uncovering historical secrets.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of divulge from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
