declaratory

adjective de·clar·a·to·ry \ -ə-ˌtȯr-ē \

|Updated on: 20 Jul 2018

Definition of declaratory

1 : serving to declare, set forth, or explain

2 a : declaring what is the existing law

declaratory statute

b : declaring a legal right or interpretation

a declaratory judgment

Recent Examples of declaratory from the Web

Now her legal team is arguing the label denied her rights and Trevejo claims to have filed a declaratory action in Miami-Dade County seeking to validate her disaffirmance.

— colin stutz, Billboard, "Malu Trevejo Seeks to Void Universal Music Latin Deal, Claims Contract Signed as Minor Was Never Certified," 5 July 2018
In any event, the DOJ asked the judge to issue a declaratory judgment in advance that the provisions will become unconstitutional as of Jan. 1, which is when the monetary penalty for not having health insurance is reduced to zero.

— michael hiltzik, latimes.com, "Inside the Trump administration's assault on protections for people with preexisting medical conditions," 11 June 2018
Besides asking a court for a declaratory judgment that the Certificate authorizes the special dividend, the newest lawsuit characterizes the Certificate as a contract between CBS and its stockholders with NAI, as a controller, a party.

— eriq gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, "Shari Redstone's Grip on CBS Challenged in Shareholder Lawsuit," 31 May 2018
Fort Bend County Commissioners voted during their regular May 22 meeting to approve a lawsuit that seeks a declaratory judgment from a federal district judge regarding the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ operation of the Barker Reservoir.

— staff report, Houston Chronicle, "Fort Bend County authorizes lawsuit against U.S. Army Corps of Engineers," 25 May 2018
Raphael is suing for breach of contract, unjust enrichment, declaratory judgment and defamation, according to court documents.

— dan rys, Billboard, "Cardi B's Former Manager Sues Rapper for $10M," 26 Apr. 2018
Chynoweth also argued while the state does not necessarily intend to seek the $25,000 per day fine against Birmingham, the AG's office does ask the judge to make a declaratory judgment giving them the right to seek the fine in other cases.

— ivana hrynkiw, AL.com, "AG, Birmingham attorneys argue over Confederate memorial," 13 Apr. 2018
The plaintiffs are also claiming breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, promissory estoppel, tortious interference and declaratory judgment against Briggs and McLaughlin.

— colin stutz, Billboard, "Bishop Briggs' Former Manager & Producers File Lawsuit Claiming Breach of Contract," 13 Mar. 2018
The purpose of such a declaratory judgment is to resolve doubts that might otherwise eventually result in litigation, and to guide the parties' future conduct to preserve their legal rights.

— danny cevallos, NBC News, "Porn star Stormy Daniels didn’t sue Trump for money, but for the right to speak out," 7 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'declaratory.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.