Synonym Chooser

How does the verb promulgate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of promulgate are announce, declare, and proclaim. While all these words mean "to make known publicly," promulgate implies the proclaiming of a dogma, doctrine, or law.

promulgated an edict of religious toleration

When is it sensible to use announce instead of promulgate?

In some situations, the words announce and promulgate are roughly equivalent. However, announce implies the declaration of something for the first time.

announced their engagement at a party

In what contexts can declare take the place of promulgate?

Although the words declare and promulgate have much in common, declare implies explicitness and usually formality in making known.

the referee declared the contest a draw

When can proclaim be used instead of promulgate?

The meanings of proclaim and promulgate largely overlap; however, proclaim implies declaring clearly, forcefully, and authoritatively.

the president proclaimed a national day of mourning

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 promulgate That moment promulgated the peasant shoe into fashion territory—and opened the door for the many espadrille variants to come. Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 4 Aug. 2025 Some meanwhile decide to profit from the answer by producing merchandise and products/services to highlight and promulgate the answer. Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025 Furthermore, your administrative decision appears to contravene the standards of care promulgated by leading professional organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Pediatric Endocrine Society and the Society of Pediatric Psychology. Kaitlin McCallum, Hartford Courant, 24 July 2025 Since the news was promulgated, entertainment analysts have been busy looking for the murder weapon. Charles C. W. Cooke, National Review, 21 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for promulgate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for promulgate
Verb
  • Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 1 Nov. 2025
  • Leading the charge are the UAE and Singapore — where roughly 60% of the working-age population uses AI on a monthly basis — followed by a series of European countries, according to a report from Microsoft published Thursday.
    Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Ryan Murphy has announced the main cast of the upcoming 13th season of American Horror Story, which will feature Ariana Grande making her debut on the show alongside series regulars such as Evan Peters and Emma Roberts.
    Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 31 Oct. 2025
  • The Jamaican government announced that a consortium of international organizations, including charities like Mercy Corps and Haiti Air Ambulance, with expertise in disaster relief and recovery, have arrived in the country and are working with the Jamaica Defense Force.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The country’s electoral authority, stacked with Maduro sympathizers, proclaimed him the winner amid allegations of vote-rigging, which the government denied.
    Stefano Pozzebon, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
  • But despite what this postcard proclaimed, there was no colonnade along it.
    Randy Mason, Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • It was formed in 2017 as a coalition of jihadist factions and immediately declared its allegiance to al Qaeda.
    Tim Lister, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2025
  • Dominik Szoboszlai had just squandered a golden chance by firing tamely into the arms of Emiliano Martinez after winning the ball back high up the field when the Kop parked their frustration and vocally declared their unwavering faith in the Dutchman.
    James Pearce, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Nine people were hurt when a shooting broke out at an Airbnb birthday party advertised on social media, Ohio authorities say.
    Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 2025
  • The bureau typically advertises in southern British Columbia, Calgary and Vancouver, said Mark Robitaille, its executive director.
    Sarah Cutler November 3, Idaho Statesman, 3 Nov. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Promulgate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/promulgate. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on promulgate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!