reveal

verb

ri-ˈvēl How to pronounce reveal (audio)
Definition of revealnext
1
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
2
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 Early in his Senate tenure, Jones was involved in the legislative response to the scandal at Burr Oak Cemetery in his district, where it was revealed that bodies were being buried on top of each other amid shoddy recordkeeping. —Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025 In Sunday’s stressful Season 3 finale, all the storylines came to a tragic climax, with Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood), Rick (Walton Goggins) and Jim Hollinger (Scott Glenn), who was revealed to be Rick’s real father, all dying in a shootout at the resort. —Alli Rosenbloom, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2025 Gen Zer Returning From 10-Week Trip Shocked At What ‘Horrific’ Rib Pain Was By Jack Beresford Senior Life and Trends Reporter Newsweek Is A Trust Project Member news article 0 A woman has revealed how a sudden pain in her ribs while in college led to a life-changing discovery. —John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Apr. 2025 Harry has Kiko take a look at the crate's contents, which are now revealed to us in all their gory glory. —Matt Cabral, EW.com, 6 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for reveal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reveal
  1. disclose
  2. show
  3. discover
  4. display
  5. uncover
  6. demonstrate
  7. tell
  8. betray
Verb
  • Driving the news: Terms of the partnership weren't disclosed, but Ravindran confirms CSD made an investment in Floreo.
    — Claire Rychlewski, Axios, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The foundation has never publicly disclosed its donors or the names of the churches and nonprofits receiving its funds.
    — Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of disclose
Verb
  • For the rest of the short teaser, Lord and Lady Grantham (Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern) are shown walking around the grounds of the estate, touching bannisters and stone pillars with an air of finality.
    — Brent Lang, Variety, 3 Apr. 2025
  • In February 2025, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) showed that food prices were up 3.2% year-over-year, with food away from home rising 4.5%—a clear indicator that even fast food is being reconsidered as an occasional indulgence.
    — Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of show
Verb
  • Regardless of how the first seven or eight innings had gone, the Mets discovered another gear late, often against the opposing team’s most dominant relievers.
    — Tim Britton, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
  • First discovered: 10:19 a.m. March 28 Initial location: Los Angeles County, Calif. Fire type: Wildfire Fire name: LAC-110495 A new wildfire was reported today at 10:19 a.m. in Los Angeles County.
    — CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of discover
Verb
  • The new portable console features a 7.9 inch LCD screen that displays in 1080p.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2025
  • The reporter noted that a framed photo of Prince Harry, 40, with his late mother, Princess Diana, was displayed nearby.
    — Janine Henni, People.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of display
Verb
  • The scene in Richard Donner's 1985 adventure comedy The Goonies in which the ragtag group of child explorers finally uncover the mythic pirate ship is one of the film's most unforgettable.
    — Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Thanks to a notable statistic uncovered by @WWEStats, this title challenge will mark Cena's tenth WrestleMania championship match, a feat unmatched by any other WWE Superstar.
    — John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of uncover
Verb
  • Physical resistance is not required on the part of the victim to demonstrate lack of consent.
    — Baltimore Sun staff, Baltimore Sun, 7 Apr. 2025
  • These missions typically include booster recoveries, either at sea or on land, further demonstrating the company's focus on reusable launch technology to lower the cost of access to space.
    — John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of demonstrate
Verb
  • In Leech, a parasitic hive mind that infests people discovers another parasitic hive mind that infests people, competing for the same brain space (told in first-person from the POV of the former parasitic hive mind).
    — Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • At the time, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department told PEOPLE that officers reported to an incident in the Encino area, where a source confirmed Kyle owned a home Kim had been staying in.
    — Esther Kang, People.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of tell
Verb
  • What followed was a shocking turn of events, as Cena, fresh from winning the Men's Elimination Chamber and securing a WrestleMania title shot against Rhodes, betrayed his long-standing heroic persona and launched a brutal attack on Rhodes.
    — Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Platitudes about free expression betray a deliberate ignorance of human psychology.
    — David Robert Grimes, Scientific American, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of betray

Browse Nearby Words

revamps
reveal
revealed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Reveal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reveal. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on reveal

Nglish: Translation of reveal for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

'When Pigs Fly' and Other Barnyard Idioms

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things
See More

Popular

See More

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

'When Pigs Fly' and Other Barnyard Idioms
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a game of hangman on lined paper
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All