declare

verb

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

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.

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

And next year, Berlin has declared a holiday for May 8, marking the 75th anniversary of Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender. — Kirsten Grieshaber And David Rising, chicagotribune.com, "From loss to liberation: How Germans view celebrations of Allied victory over their Nazi ancestors," 6 June 2019 The main peak, first climbed in 1936 by a combined American/United Kingdom expedition, has been closed to climbing since the 1980s when the Indian government declared it off-limits as a biosphere reserve. — Anna Callaghan, Outside Online, "Climbers Presumed Dead on Flanks of Nanda Devi East," 6 June 2019 Parking instruction signs will be posted in areas around the town's schools and the town will be able to declare 20-minute parking spots in the downtown and other commercial spaces in town as needed, the ordinance reads. — Michelle L. Quinn, Post-Tribune, "Parking adjustments decided in Griffith," 5 June 2019 Xi has declared that the PRC intends to eliminate poverty by 2020. — Therese Shaheen, National Review, "China’s ‘New Long March’," 5 June 2019 The children have been staying at Farber’s New York City apartment under armed guard since their mother was declared missing on May 24. — Dave Altimari, courant.com, "Police return to Hartford trash facility to search for clues in Jennifer Dulos’ disappearance. Judge takes no action on custody of her five children," 5 June 2019 The bill declares that obtaining or administering life-ending medication is not suicide under state law. — Washington Post, "Bill to legalize assisted suicide in Maine goes to governor," 4 June 2019 Only one person had declared his intentions while Satz was still, theoretically, a possible candidate for re-election. — Anthony Man, sun-sentinel.com, "Changing politics, and chance of losing, mean no 12th term for Broward State Attorney Mike Satz," 4 June 2019 Its passage prompted about half of Colorado’s 64 counties to declare themselves Second Amendment sanctuaries — where the law will not be enforced. — Kieran Nicholson, The Denver Post, "City Council in Commerce City approves resolution as Second Amendment sanctuary city," 4 June 2019

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.