declare

Definition of declarenext
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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb declare differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of declare are announce, proclaim, and promulgate. While all these words mean "to make known publicly," declare implies explicitness and usually formality in making known.

the referee declared the contest a draw

Where would announce be a reasonable alternative to declare?

The meanings of announce and declare largely overlap; however, announce implies the declaration of something for the first time.

announced their engagement at a party

When might proclaim be a better fit than declare?

While the synonyms proclaim and declare are close in meaning, proclaim implies declaring clearly, forcefully, and authoritatively.

the president proclaimed a national day of mourning

In what contexts can promulgate take the place of declare?

The words promulgate and declare can be used in similar contexts, but promulgate implies the proclaiming of a dogma, doctrine, or law.

promulgated an edict of religious toleration

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of declare With the confluence of events on the pitch, court and stage, the city has declared a Gridlock Alert for Saturday, with severe traffic congestion expected in midtown Manhattan. ABC News, 13 June 2026 Shanghai vice mayor Lu Shan, who officially declared the festival open, made that tension explicit. Marcus Lim, Variety, 13 June 2026 Bartlett Mayor Dan Gunsteen likewise declared a local state of disaster in the northwest suburb. Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2026 The summer provisions are typically triggered when temperatures reach a certain level or when heat emergencies are declared, instead of the blanket winter disconnection moratoriums. Tami Luhby, CNN Money, 13 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for declare
Recent Examples of Synonyms for declare
Verb
  • In December 2023, Caprio announced he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, completing radiation treatment last year.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 21 Aug. 2025
  • Neither Nexstar Media Group nor TEGNA has announced any layoffs if the acquisition is approved by the Federal Communications Commission.
    Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Bessent has insisted China remains on track to meet its targets by late February.
    Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2025
  • Justice Department officials insisted that the lawsuit was not related to Trump’s grievances with CNN.
    Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 8 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • The Big 12’s overarching thesis is that Texas Tech shouldn’t be able to play an athlete who has admitted to betting on his own team and who, the conference asserts, has placed thousands of bets on college and pro sports either directly or through an intermediary from 2022 to 2026.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 June 2026
  • Trump has asserted multiple times in recent weeks the countries were on the cusp of a deal.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 June 2026
Verb
  • The showdown between Pavia, Mendoza, Sayin, and Love sets the stage for a dramatic national finish, with the winner to be revealed on December 13.
    Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025
  • The first two names unveiled by the zoo are Kiwi and Cayenne, while more names are expected to be revealed in the coming weeks.
    Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 9 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • Campaign ​posters proclaimed only 10% of incomers were needed skilled workers and that asylum seekers were more likely to be rapists.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
  • Home Assistant proclaimed 2023 to be the Year of the Voice and duly launched a prototype Voice Assistant.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 June 2026
Verb
  • Last season, Edison claimed its first CIF State title with a 21-14 victory against Central of Fresno in the Division 1-AA final.
    Michael Huntley, Oc Register, 26 Aug. 2025
  • Celebrities from King herself to actor Alec Baldwin, fashion designer Vera Wang and Vogue's global editorial director Anna Wintour were spotted watching the men's single as Novak Djokovic claimed an opening night victory over 19-year-old American Learner Tien.
    Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Soelberg and the chatbot also professed love for each other.
    Dave Collins, Fortune, 11 Dec. 2025
  • The Southern California woman alleged that Micah approached her outside of a church and professed his love for her.
    Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 10 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • Still, Banks needs to display a level of consistency that has been lacking to wrestle the starting job away during camp.
    Dan Duggan, New York Times, 16 June 2026
  • Some fans held out flags of the current Islamic Republic, while others displayed lion flags from the pre-revolutionary period.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 16 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Declare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/declare. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.

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