Meaning & use
improper disclosure
Last updated
Meaning
noununcountableformallegal
The act of revealing information that should have been kept secret or private, especially in a way that breaks a rule or law.
Grammar: Used as an uncountable noun; it does not take 'a' or a plural form.
Patterns
- improper disclosure of something
- improper disclosure by someone
- alleged improper disclosure
The company was fined for improper disclosure of customer data.
She was accused of improper disclosure after sharing confidential documents with a journalist.
The report highlighted several cases of improper disclosure by government officials.
Common combinations
- improper disclosure of information
- The law punishes improper disclosure of information that could harm national security.
- alleged improper disclosure
- The investigation focuses on alleged improper disclosure of trade secrets.
- prevent improper disclosure
- New rules aim to prevent improper disclosure of personal data.
- liable for improper disclosure
- The newspaper could be liable for improper disclosure if it publishes the names.
Synonyms and how they differ
- leak
- A 'leak' is often used for the release of secret information to the public, while 'improper disclosure' emphasizes that the act was wrong or against rules.
- breach of confidentiality
- This is a broader legal term that can include improper disclosure but also other failures to keep information private.
Opposites
Word family
- disclose verb
- To make something known, especially something that was secret.
- disclosure noun
- The act of making information known.
Commonly confused: improper disclosure or improper?
improper disclosure vs improper
Learners sometimes think 'improper' means 'not proper' in a general sense, but in this phrase it means 'not according to accepted rules or law'.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'improper disclosure' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Option B is correct because 'improper disclosure' refers to revealing information wrongly, often in a legal or formal context. Option An is wrong because 'praised' suggests a positive action, but improper disclosure is negative. Option C is too trivial and not a legal wrong. Option D is factually wrong.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “improper disclosure”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.