You're sitting in a meeting or maybe just texting a friend about some office drama, and you want to sound a bit more sophisticated than usual. You reach for a "power word." You want to say someone spilled the beans, but you want to use the word divulge. It feels right. It sounds smart. But then you pause. Is it "divulge to" or just "divulge"? Does it sound weird if you use it for something small, like what you had for lunch?
Using divulge in a sentence isn't actually that hard, but people trip over the etiquette and the grammar more than they'd like to admit. Honestly, it’s one of those words that carries a lot of weight. If you use it to describe your favorite color, you’re probably being sarcastic. If you use it in a legal deposition, it could change the whole case.
Basically, to divulge something is to make known a secret or some private information. It comes from the Latin divulgare, which basically means to spread among the "vulgus" or the common people. Think of it as taking something that was tucked away in a dark corner and dragging it out into the bright, harsh light of day. It’s not just "telling." It’s revealing.
The Grammar of Secrets: How to Actually Structure Your Sentence
Most people mess up the preposition. You don’t "divulge about" a secret. That’s clunky. You just divulge the secret. It’s a transitive verb, which is just a fancy way of saying it needs a direct object to make sense.
If you look at the Oxford English Dictionary or even just a standard Merriam-Webster entry, the usage is pretty clear. "The whistleblower refused to divulge the names of the executives involved." See? No "about," no "concerning," just the straight-up facts.
But what if you want to mention who you're telling? That’s where it gets slightly trickier. You divulge something to someone. "She hesitated before she decided to divulge the location of the safe to her brother." It sounds formal because it is. You wouldn’t usually say, "Hey, divulge to me what's for dinner." Unless you're trying to be funny, it just doesn't fit the vibe of a casual Tuesday night.
Sentence length matters when you're writing. Short sentences punch. Long ones flow.
"He wouldn't divulge." That’s a complete thought. It’s dramatic. Compare that to: "Despite the intense pressure from the investigative committee and the looming threat of a contempt charge, the journalist stubbornly refused to divulge the identity of the source who had provided the encrypted files." Both work. They just do different jobs in your writing.
Real-World Examples of Divulge in a Sentence
Let’s look at some places where you’ll actually see this word in the wild. It’s big in news, law, and high-stakes thrillers.
- In a legal context: "The defendant was legally bound by a non-disclosure agreement not to divulge any proprietary trade secrets belonging to his former employer."
- In everyday (but slightly dramatic) life: "I’m happy to divulge my secret for the perfect sourdough crust, but you have to promise not to tell the rest of the baking club."
- In politics: "The administration has been under fire for failing to divulge the full details of the trade negotiations."
- In tech: "Apple rarely chooses to divulge the specific battery capacity of its iPhones during the initial keynote, preferring to focus on 'hours of use' instead."
Notice how the word usually precedes something that was intentionally hidden. You don't divulge that the sky is blue. You divulge that the sky is actually a projection (if you're a conspiracy theorist). The "hiddenness" is the key.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don't confuse "divulge" with "disclose." They are cousins, sure, but not twins. Disclosing is often a formal requirement. Doctors disclose risks. Companies disclose earnings. Divulging feels a bit more personal or even slightly illicit. It has a "whisper" quality to it that disclosure lacks.
Also, watch out for "divulge out." It’s redundant. If you’re divulging, it’s already coming out. Just keep it simple.
Why We Use Big Words Anyway
There is a certain psychological power in using a word like divulge. It signals to the listener that the information coming next is high-value. If I say, "I'm going to tell you something," you might listen. If I say, "I'm going to divulge something to you," your ears perk up. You expect a secret. You expect the "inside scoop."
Language experts like Steven Pinker often talk about how our word choices reflect our social relationships. Using formal verbs can create distance or establish authority. If you use divulge in a sentence during a job interview, you’re signaling a high level of literacy. You're showing you know how to navigate professional boundaries.
Practical Steps for Mastering the Word
If you want to start using this word without sounding like you’re trying too hard, follow these steps:
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Check the Stakes
Is the information actually a secret? If it’s public knowledge, use "mention" or "state." If it’s a secret, "divulge" is your friend.
Skip the Prepositions
Don't add "about" or "of" after the verb.
Right: "He divulged his plans."
Wrong: "He divulged about his plans."
Consider the Audience
If you're writing a formal email or a story, "divulge" is great. If you're at a bar with friends, maybe stick to "spill." Context is everything in English.
Practice the Passive Voice (Sparingly)
Sometimes, you don't want to say who did the telling. "The information was finally divulged after years of litigation." This is a classic "detective novel" way to use the word.
To really get comfortable, try writing three sentences right now. Make one about a secret recipe, one about a government cover-up, and one about a personal realization. Vary the length. Make one short. Make one a bit of a marathon. Once you’ve done that, you’ll realize that divulge in a sentence isn't a hurdle—it’s a tool. It’s a way to add a bit of mystery and weight to your communication. Use it when the moment deserves a bit of gravity.