declare

de·clare | \ di-ˈkler

declared; declaring

Definition of declare

1a : to make known formally, officially, or explicitly publicly declared her opposition to the plan

b : to make known as a determination The judge declared the defendant fit to stand trial. She was declared the rightful heir to the throne.

2 obsolete : to make clear

3 : to make evident : show a glimpse of his head in outline … declared his present state of mind— Osbert Sitwell

4 : to state emphatically : affirm declares his innocence "You are quite a quiz, I do declare!"— Charles Dickens

5 : to make a full statement of (one's taxable or dutiable property) Large purchases must be declared at customs.

6 in card games

a : to make a bid or announcement naming (a trump suit or no-trump)

b : meld

7 : to make payable declare a dividend

intransitive verb

1 : to make a declaration poetry … evokes rather than merely declares— C. S. Kilby

2 : to avow one's opinion or support declaring for or against a candidate

3 : to announce one's intentions (as to run for political office) declared for mayor

Other Words from declare Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about declare

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Choose the Right Synonym for declare

declare, announce, proclaim, promulgate mean to make known publicly. declare implies explicitness and usually formality in making known. the referee declared the contest a draw announce implies the declaration of something for the first time. announced their engagement at a party proclaim implies declaring clearly, forcefully, and authoritatively. the president proclaimed a national day of mourning promulgate implies the proclaiming of a dogma, doctrine, or law. promulgated an edict of religious toleration

synonyms see in addition assert

Examples of declare in a Sentence

The government has just declared a state of emergency. He openly declared his love for her. They failed to declare all of their earnings on their tax return. Large purchases must be declared at customs. Do you have anything to declare?

Recent Examples on the Web Trump’s campaign had asked Ranjan to declare that guidance unconstitutional and to block counties from following it. — Marc Levy, USA TODAY, "Judge throws out Trump campaign lawsuit over Pennsylvania poll-watching law and mail-in ballots," 10 Oct. 2020 The majority opinion also upended several years of legal precedent and limited the instances where courts can declare a defendant’s void. — Cory Shaffer, cleveland, "Ohio Supreme Court OKs release of convicted Cleveland killer who judge forgot to sentence to life in prison," 9 Oct. 2020 Last month, Immergut declined to grant special rights to volunteer street medics beyond that of general demonstrators who must disperse when police declare an unlawful assembly or riot. — oregonlive, "Physicians for Human Rights group finds ‘disproportionate, excessive’’ force used against volunteer medics in Portland protests," 8 Oct. 2020 The City of Madison Heights filed a complaint against Gary Sayers in 6th Circuit Court, asking the court to declare his properties a public nuisance and order several buildings demolished. — Keith Matheny, Detroit Free Press, "Months later, I-696 'green ooze'-tied Detroit site still contaminated mess," 5 Oct. 2020 The Portland Police Bureau issued a statement Saturday morning, saying some officers reported that rocks, a full beverage can and water bottles had been thrown at them, prompting police to declare the gathering an unlawful assembly. — CBS News, "27 arrested as Portland protests reach 100 consecutive days this weekend," 5 Sep. 2020 The Portland Police Bureau issued a statement Saturday morning, saying some officers reported that rocks, a full beverage can and water bottles had been thrown at them, prompting police to declare the gathering an unlawful assembly. — chicagotribune.com, "27 arrested as Portland protests reach 100 consecutive days," 5 Sep. 2020 The Portland Police Bureau issued a statement Saturday morning, saying some officers reported that rocks, a full beverage can and water bottles had been thrown at them, prompting police to declare the gathering an unlawful assembly. — Bloomberg.com, "27 Arrested as Portland Protests Reach 100 Consecutive Days," 5 Sep. 2020 Admiral filed a federal lawsuit this month against ProSlide and Universal, asking the courts to declare the company not responsible for covering Volcano Bay claims. — Gabrielle Russon, orlandosentinel.com, "Accidents on Universal Orlando’s Volcano Bay water slides bring 73 injury claims, court documents say," 26 Aug. 2020

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

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Last Updated

18 Oct 2020

Cite this Entry

“Declare.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/declare. Accessed 30 Oct. 2020.

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More Definitions for declare

declare

verb

English Language Learners Definition of declare

: to say or state (something) in an official or public way

: to say (something) in a strong and confident way

: to tell the government about (money you have earned or received) in order to pay taxes

See the full definition for declare in the English Language Learners Dictionary

declare

verb

de·clare | \ di-ˈkler

declared; declaring

Kids Definition of declare

1 : to make known in a clear or formal way The judges declared the race a tie.

2 : to state as if certain “I look and smell,” Aunt Sponge declared, “as lovely as a rose!”— Roald Dahl, James and the Giant Peach

Choose the Right Synonym for declare

declare, announce, and advertise mean to make known to the public. declare is used of something that is said very clearly and often in a formal manner. The governor declared a policy change. announce is used when something of interest is declared for the first time. Scientists announced the discovery of a new planet. advertise is used when a statement is repeated over and over and all around. She advertised her grades to the whole class.