leak
Breach in containment
A leak is an unwanted escape of fluid, gas, or light through a hole or crack: The roof has a leak.
The hole itself is also a leak.
To leak is to escape or allow escape this way: The pipe is leaking.
Extended to information, a leak is unauthorized disclosure to the press or public: Someone leaked the memo.
The person who discloses is also called a leak.
To take a leak is slang for urinating.
Inherent imperfection or fault
- flawImperfection in something
- malfunctionFailure to operate properly
- failureLack of success
- crackNarrow break or attempt
hole · gap · puncture · tear · rupture · breach · worn · degradation
Insider who reports misconduct
- classifiedRestricted from disclosure
- confidentialMeant to stay secret
- revelationSurprising disclosed truth
- exposéInvestigative journalism piece
scoop · insider · tip-off · source · intelligence · documents · scandal · journalism
Hollow conveyance channel
- faucetValve controlling water flow
- valveFluid flow controller
- plumbingWater and waste infrastructure
- gasketMechanical leak preventer
seal · fitting · joint · washer · corrosion · burst · rupture · overflow
One who tells authorities
- moleSubterranean insectivore
- ratRodent or informer
- spyCovert information gatherer
- traitorOne who betrays allegiance
insider · tipster · source · turncoat · betrayer · fink · squealer · nark
Shortcut or breach
- cyberattackMalicious digital intrusion
- securityProtection from threat
- vulnerabilityOpenness to harm
- exploitNotable act or abuse
intrusion · firewall · encryption · data breach · compromise · zero-day · backdoor · malware
Airborne chemical irritants
- methaneSimplest alkane fuel
- propaneFlammable hydrocarbon fuel
- natural gasSubterranean hydrocarbon fuel
- carbon monoxideToxic combustion byproduct gas
detector · odor · ventilation · hazard · explosive · toxic · pipeline · tank
trickle
Thin, slow stream
dribble · droplet · weep · percolate · moisture · dampness · wetness · puddle · bead · condensation
defect
Inherent imperfection or fault
- flawImperfection in something
- malfunctionFailure to operate properly
- failureLack of success
crack · hole · gap · puncture · tear · rupture · breach · worn · degradation · faulty
whistleblower
Insider who reports misconduct
- classifiedRestricted from disclosure
- confidentialMeant to stay secret
- revelationSurprising disclosed truth
exposé · scoop · insider · tip-off · source · intelligence · documents · scandal · journalism · anonymous
pipe
Hollow conveyance channel
gasket · seal · fitting · joint · washer · corrosion · burst · rupture · overflow · water damage
snitch
One who tells authorities
traitor · insider · tipster · source · turncoat · betrayer · fink · squealer · nark · tattletale
hack
Shortcut or breach
- cyberattackMalicious digital intrusion
- securityProtection from threat
- vulnerabilityOpenness to harm
exploit · intrusion · firewall · encryption · data breach · compromise · zero-day · backdoor · malware · penetration
fumes
Airborne chemical irritants
- methaneSimplest alkane fuel
- propaneFlammable hydrocarbon fuel
- natural gasSubterranean hydrocarbon fuel
carbon monoxide · detector · odor · ventilation · hazard · explosive · toxic · pipeline · tank · cylinder
- secrecysecrecy, secret, secrets, confidential, classified
- accidentsaccident, car accident, bike accident, mishap, traffic accident
- damagebreakage, break, crack, fracture, dent
- incidentsaccident, collision, crash, mishap, wreck
- leaksseepage, drip, drips, trickle, ooze
- plumbing problemsclog, clogs, burst pipe, frozen pipe, clogged drain
- gas leakUncontrolled fuel emission
- take a leakVoid urine informally
- water leakUnwanted fluid escape
- leak outEscape or emerge slowly
- spring a leakDevelop a hole that admits fluid
- leaky faucetFaulty water fixture
leaking, leaks, leaky, leakage, leaked, leaker, leakers, leakable, unleaked