declaratory

adjective

de·​clar·​a·​to·​ry di-ˈkler-ə-ˌtȯr-ē 

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

Examples of declaratory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The lawsuit, which seeks a declaratory judgment and an injunction, names as defendants the state, the Florida Gaming Control Commission and the commission’s members. —Jim Saunders, Sun Sentinel, 23 June 2025

Gaw’s suit seeks a declaratory judgment that her employer’s actions violated her rights, back pay and lost employment benefits and compensatory and punitive damages. —Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 June 2025

Six years later, Drue’s wife Kelly is now asking a North Carolina court to issue a declaratory judgement that she and her children are entitled to Drue’s 50% stake in Winthrop and that neither the company nor Brooks have a right to any proceeds from the decedent’s life insurance policy. —Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 26 Mar. 2025

Walgreens will now also move to dismiss a related declaratory judgment action filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. —Mark Faithfull, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for declaratory

• accusatory
• admonitory
• ambulatory
• amendatory
• celebratory
• circulatory
• combinatory
• commendatory
• compensatory
• condemnatory
• confirmatory
• confiscatory

Legal Definition

declaratory

adjective

de·​clar·​a·​to·​ry di-ˈklar-ə-ˌtōr-ē 

: serving to declare, set forth, or explain: as

a

: declaring what is the existing law

b

: declaring a legal right or interpretation

declaratory relief

see also declaratory judgment at judgment sense 1a