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

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

The declaratory ruling request is a first step in legal action, but is not a lawsuit per se. —Katy Golvala, Hartford Courant, 12 Mar. 2025

The lawsuit seeks a declaratory judgement absolving Wallace of liability in the matter, as well as damages for defamation, including at least $6 million in punitive damages. —Gene Maddaus, Variety, 5 Feb. 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