whistleblow
Reveal hidden misconduct
Whistleblow is the verb form of whistleblower, meaning to expose wrongdoing, illegal activity, or misconduct within an organization by reporting it to authorities or the public.
The term evokes the image of a referee blowing a whistle to stop play when rules are broken.
Someone who whistleblows typically has insider knowledge and often faces significant personal and professional risk.
She decided to whistleblow on the company's fraudulent accounting practices.
Escape through a breach
- exposeMake known publicly
- uncoverReveal what's hidden
- revealMake something visible
- informantOne who provides intelligence
insider · testimony · evidence · declassify · unmask · divulge · unveil · confession
One who tells authorities
- leakEscape through a breach
- informGive facts to
- squealShrill, piercing cry
- tattleReveal another's wrongdoing
betray · rat · turncoat · mole · cooperate · testify · implicate · name names
Assertion lacking proof
- complaintExpression of discontent
- investigationFormal examination of facts
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- misconductImproper professional behavior
corruption · oversight · audit · compliance · ombudsman · regulator · grievance · inspector
Internal moral sense
- accountabilityObligation for one's actions
- transparencyState of being see-through
- honestyTruthfulness, sincerity
- justiceFair treatment under law
morality · principles · responsibility · duty · righteousness · truthfulness · virtue · honor
Boldness before danger
- riskPossibility of harm
- sacrificeGiving up something precious
- heroismExceptional courage under duress
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
boldness · fearlessness · defiance · resolve · grit · standing up · career · persecution
leak
Escape through a breach
informant · insider · testimony · evidence · declassify · unmask · divulge · unveil · confession · admission
snitch
One who tells authorities
tattle · betray · rat · turncoat · mole · cooperate · testify · implicate · name names · flip
allegation
Assertion lacking proof
- complaintExpression of discontent
- investigationFormal examination of facts
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
misconduct · corruption · oversight · audit · compliance · ombudsman · regulator · grievance · inspector · inquiry
conscience
Internal moral sense
- accountabilityObligation for one's actions
- transparencyState of being see-through
- honestyTruthfulness, sincerity
justice · morality · principles · responsibility · duty · righteousness · truthfulness · virtue · honor · rectitude
bravery
Boldness before danger
fortitude · boldness · fearlessness · defiance · resolve · grit · standing up · career · persecution · exile
- accusationsaccusation, accuse, accuser, allegation, allege
- speaking upspeak up, speak out, speak freely, voice, give voice
- betrayalbackstab, betray, betrayal, traitor, backstabber
- disclosurerevealing, disclosing, disclose, divulge, reveal
whistleblowcollude
Secretly cooperate to deceive
conspire · enable · abet · close ranks · circle the wagons
whistleblowkeep quiet
Remain silent
look the other way · turn a blind eye · say nothing · keep mum · hold one's tongue
- whistleblowing policiesRules protecting misconduct reporters
- whistleblower protectionLaws shielding those who report misconduct
- whistleblower lawsRules protecting those reporting misconduct
- whistleblower retaliationPunishing those who report misconduct
whistleblowing, whistleblower, whistleblowers, whistleblows, whistleblew