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

After initially firing Kelly without cause, LSU later retroactively claimed cause to avoid paying his buyout, according to a declaratory action Kelly filed last month in Louisiana State Court. —Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 1 Dec. 2025

Wednesday, seeking a declaratory judgement, attorney’s fees and potential damages, Wolff hit back with a legal action of his own. —Dominic Patten, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2025

In the 12-page complaint, Allen asks the court to restore her position as a research analyst with back pay and to issue a declaratory judgment condemning her ouster from the state agency as a violation of her free speech protections. —Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2025

Pearce also sought a declaratory judgment that the operating agreements of the Subject LLCs were executory, and the Court next took up that issue. —Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 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