reveal

v.

1. To make known

   disclose, divulge, tell, betray, betray a confidence, confess, confide, impart, publish, expose, lay bare, avow, admit, acknowledge, give utterance to, let out, give out, bring out, make public, leak, unfold, unveil, bring to light, communicate, announce, declare, inform, notify, utter, make plain, break the news, unbosom, broadcast, concede, come out with, explain, bring into the open, affirm, report, share, give away*, let the cat out of the bag*, blab*, talk*, spill*, spill the beans*, make a clean breast of*, put one's cards on the table*, let slip*, show one's true colors*, get out of one's system*, give the low-down*, blow the whistle*, let on*, open up*, spill one's guts*; see also inform 2, notify 1, tell 1.

2. To expose

   show, exhibit, unveil; see expose 1.

reveal implies a making known of something hidden or secret, as if by drawing back a veil to reveal one's identity; disclose suggests a laying open, as to inspection, of what has previously been concealed she refuses to disclose her intentions; divulge suggests that what has been disclosed should properly have been kept secret or private do not divulge the contents of this letter; tell may also imply a breach of confidence kiss and tell, but more commonly suggests the making known of necessary or requested information tell me what to do; betray implies either faithlessness in divulging something betrayed by an informer or inadvertence in revealing something a blush that betrayed his embarrassment