What's the difference between divulge and tell?

Can I use divulge in everyday conversation?

Is divulge used in business writing?

← Dictionary

divulge

/dɪˈvʌldʒ/

IELTSAcademic

verb

To tell private or sensitive information to someone.

She refused to divulge the witness's location.
Do not divulge your password to anyone.

Adinary Nuance

Near-neighbors: divulge is stronger than tell or say, and more formal than reveal. Use divulge when the context is serious or sensitive, while reveal suits everyday situations.

In other languages

Spanish: Revelar
Japanese: 暴露する
Korean: 누설하다
Vietnamese: Tiết lộ
Chinese: 透露

Common phrases

divulge a secretcannot divulge detailsdivulge informationdivulge the truth

Synonyms

disclose tell reveal impart leak

Frequently asked questions

Is divulge formal or informal?: Is divulge formal or informal?
What's the difference between divulge and tell?: What's the difference between divulge and tell?
Can I use divulge in everyday conversation?: Can I use divulge in everyday conversation?
Is divulge used in business writing?: Is divulge used in business writing?