What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
confide
Example
I confided in my best friend about my struggles with anxiety. [confided: past tense]
Example
She confided that she was planning to quit her job soon. [confided: verb]
divulge
Example
He was fired for divulging company secrets to a competitor. [divulging: gerund or present participle]
Example
The journalist refused to divulge the source of the leaked information. [divulge: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Confide is more commonly used than divulge in everyday language. Confide is often used in personal relationships and conversations, while divulge is more commonly used in legal or professional contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between confide and divulge?
Divulge is typically associated with a more formal tone, as it often involves sharing confidential or sensitive information in a professional or legal setting. Confide, on the other hand, can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the nature of the information being shared.
