reveal
[verb]
Synonyms:
- make known, announce, disclose, divulge, give away, impart, let out, let slip, make public, proclaim, tell
- show, display, exhibit, manifest, uncover, unearth, unmask, unveil

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Antonyms: conceal
Contrasted words: cover (up), hide, obscure, veil
Related Idioms: let slip, let the cat out of the bag, spill the beans
Related Words: break, communicate, impart, announce, blow (about or abroad), broadcast, declare, give out, publish, vent, breathe, whisper, leak, acknowledge, admit, avow, confess, let on, peach, rat, split, squeak, squeal (on), stool, talk

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English Thesaurus: reveal, tell, disclose, divulge, make something public, ...

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

re‧veal W1 AC /rɪˈviːl/ verb [transitive]
[Word Family: adjective: revealing, revelatory; verb: reveal; noun: revelation; adverb: revealingly]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: reveler, from Latin revelare 'to uncover', from velum; ⇒ veil¹]

1. to make known something that was previously secret or unknown Antonym : conceal:
He may be prosecuted for revealing secrets about the security agency.
a test that can reveal a teacher’s hidden skills
reveal (that)
He revealed that he had been in prison twice before.
reveal yourself (as/to be something)
The violinist revealed himself as a talented interpreter of classical music.

2. to show something that was previously hidden Antonym : conceal:
The curtain opened to reveal the grand prize.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

reveal to let someone know about something that is secret or has not been known until now:
Doctors are not allowed to reveal confidential information.
It was revealed that he had smoked marijuana at college.
tell to talk about something to someone, so that they know about it:
Don’t tell anyone about this just yet.
Shall I tell you a secret?
disclose formal to publicly reveal something such as a fact or a name that has been kept secret:
The terms of the agreement have not yet been disclosed.
The agent did not disclose that there had been a violent crime in the house.
divulge //daɪˈvʌldʒ, də-// formal to reveal important or personal information which was previously secret or unknown:
The bank has refused to divulge its plans.
I’m afraid I cannot divulge what was said to me.
make something public to tell people about important information, especially after it has been kept secret:
Apparently they were engaged for some time before making it public.
The government has agreed that sources of financing should in future be made public.
leak to deliberately give secret information to a newspaper, television company etc, when a government or other organization wants to keep it secret:
The contents of the email were leaked to the press.
A man was charged today with leaking official secrets.
give something away (also spill the beans informal) to tell someone something that you want to keep secret:
He was careful not to give away any trade secrets.
I’m not going to give away how much I paid for it!
let slip informal to accidentally tell someone about something:
He let slip that he was envious of his older brother.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

show to let someone see something, especially by holding it out in front of them:
Everyone has to show their identity cards at the entrance to the building.
Stephanie showed us her engagement ring.
flash to show something to someone very quickly:
‘We’re police’, he said, flashing his card at us.
Miranda flashed a surprised look into the mirror.
let somebody have a look/take a look especially spoken to show something to someone, especially so that they can examine it, repair it etc:
If the wound doesn’t get better soon, you should let the doctor take a look at it.
Mike’s good with cars – let him have a look.
reveal especially written to let someone see or know about something that is usually hidden, or that you want to keep secret – often used about showing your feelings or private thoughts:
Suzy looked away quickly in order not to reveal her true feelings.
He lifted the lid of the box to reveal a small snake.
expose especially written to let someone see something that could not be seen before:
The receding tide had exposed huge expanses of sand.
The bear opened its mouth, exposing rows of sharp teeth.
demonstrate to show how to do something or how something works – especially to a group of people:
A qualified instructor will demonstrate how to use the machines properly.
There’s a meeting this afternoon to demonstrate the new software.
guide/take somebody through something to show someone how to do something, or how a process happens, especially something difficult or complicated:
The book guides you through the different stages of starting your own business.
A stockbroker will take you through the minefield of stocks and shares.
live (=broadcast on TV or radio as it is happening)
Tonight’s show is live from Wembley Stadium.
a TV/television/radio show
What’s your favourite TV show?
a quiz show (=in which people try to answer questions correctly)
It’s the BBC’s most popular quiz show.
a game show (=in which people play games or answer questions to win prizes)
It’s been a popular game show for years.
a chat show British English, a talk show American English (=in which famous or interesting people talk to someone about themselves)
She was on the chat show to publicize her new novel.
a family show (=one that is suitable for families and children to watch)
It’s a real family show, with something for everyone.
a news show especially AmE:
the morning news show
appear on/take part in a show (=to be a guest on a show)
They were trying to persuade Daniel Radcliffe to appear on the show.
host a show (also present a show British English) (=to be the person who introduces the different parts of a show, or who talks to guests)
He presents his own talk show on ITV.
watch a show
People of all ages watch the show.
the star of the show
Very quickly, Williams became the star of the show.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲