REVEAL Synonyms: 98 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

reveal

verb

ri-ˈvēl

Definition of reveal

as in to disclose

to make known (as information previously kept secret) at the end of the book, the detective reveals the identity of the mysterious stranger

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to show

to make known (something abstract) through outward signs a habitual smirk that reveals his contempt for other people

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 On Monday afternoon, Nieto revealed that Ortega was the mother of the 14-year-old. — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 The machinery switches on earlier than long assumed, as brain scans of infants reveal. — Andrea Gawrylewski, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2026 Ahead of the World Cup in May, Miller Lite revealed its Miller Time MVP Matchball – about 50% larger than a standard soccer ball and able to hold 12 Miller Lite cans. — Mike Snider, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026 Quaid was overwhelmed with joy and claimed Cruise personally called him with the news that the production was set, but quickly changed tunes once Hathaway was revealed as Cruise's co-star. — Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reveal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reveal

Verb

That left Apple’s stock vulnerable to rumors and speculation about Jobs’ health after the company disclosed his cancer diagnosis in 2004.

— Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026
Police also have not disclosed how Ceesay sustained the gunshot wound or provided details about his manner of death.

— Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of disclose

Verb

In the comments of an Instagram upload from Bustle, which also showed Stoermer’s Stories post, fans expressed their disappointment with Euphoria‘s conclusion in the comments.

— Hannah Malach, InStyle, 2 Sep. 2026
Judge Tony Graf found that state prosecutors had shown probable cause, allowing the case to advance to trial.

— Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of show

Verb

Through both global and regional open calls, PhotoVogue continues to discover and amplify voices across geographies and communities.

— Alessia Glaviano, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
Suresh Raut, deputy manager at the Nepal Electricity Authority, who was at the rescue site when the body was discovered, said an 11-man team, including relatives of the missing, has been dispatched to search the surrounding area.

— Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of discover

Verb

Aggregators and Suppliers Are Not the Same Thing A car rental aggregator is a platform that searches and displays inventory from multiple rental suppliers, allowing travelers to compare rates across dozens of providers at once.

— Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
Anyone displaying such pedestrian tastes would immediately be expelled from the room.

— David Denby, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of display

Verb

Crucially, professionals must actively listen to uncover underlying needs, use storytelling to clarify concepts, and adapt their message in real-time.

— William Arruda, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
The comprehensive regimen is meant to uncover any prior criminal conduct in an applicant’s past as well as embarrassing personal information that could make an employee vulnerable to blackmail.

— Eric Tucker, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of uncover

Verb

Series 4000 clears endurance tests The Series 4000 earned certification after completing two 720-hour durability tests, demonstrating its ability to operate through extended autonomous missions.

— Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026
Organizations can identify employees whose demonstrated capabilities already align closely with the requirements of the new role, estimate the training needed to close remaining gaps and accelerate development plans with far greater confidence.

— Raghu Krishnaiah, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of demonstrate

Verb

The referendum campaign has fueled debate about Iceland’s place in the world, Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir told reporters after casting her ballot in the capital on Saturday.

— Reuters, NBC news, 30 Aug. 2026
Indrika Ratwatte, the acting assistant secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, told the Security Council that the Kenscoff attack forced more than 2,600 people to flee their homes, many for the second or third time.

— Evens Sanon, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of tell

Verb

Rumors abounded that Portman, who has met Cusk and recommended one of her books for her book club, felt betrayed.

— René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Sep. 2026
The viral moment became a topic of conversation for weeks after the show wrapped, with Rausch also gifting her a Birkin Bag as an apology for betraying her on the show.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of betray

Browse Nearby Words

revamps

reveal

revealed

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Reveal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reveal. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of reveal

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

matriculate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes