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

Kosovo’s predominantly ethnic Albanian leadership declared independence in 2008, and Kosovo has been recognized by 116 countries. — Edith M. Lederer, The Seattle Times, "Serbia and Kosovo trade accusations over Kosovo’s new army," 17 Dec. 2018 Russia and Georgia fought a brief war in 2008, which led to the regions declaring independence. — BostonGlobe.com, "NATO says it is united at end of raucous, divisive summit," 12 July 2018 Through word of mouth, a couple of prospective customers declared the owners too hipster based on photos on Vennture's Facebook page — specifically, McConico's red glasses and Rohde's clear frames. — Kathy Flanigan, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Vennture Brew Co. brings coffee and beer to Washington Heights neighborhood," 11 July 2018 After decades of violent skirmishes, Beijing declared its policy shift toward peaceful unification in a 1979 open letter to Taiwan, the 40th anniversary of which Mr. Xi marked with Wednesday’s speech. — Chun Han Wong, WSJ, "Taiwan Leader Rejects Unification Under Heightened Pressure From China’s Xi," 2 Jan. 2019 Both Louisiana and Mississippi have declared state of emergency as result, to ensure that resources can be sent to the affected areas quickly. — Meredith Carey, Condé Nast Traveler, "How Tropical Storm Gordon Will Affect Your Travel Plans," 4 Sep. 2018 Before her arrival, Annie Dickerson, a Republican strategist, declared that Ms. Hoover was the woman Mr. Avlon would marry. — New York Times, "Margaret Hoover and John Avlon on their Post-Partisan Marriage," 11 July 2018 But Trump has chosen, throughout his career, to do things (like declare bankruptcy) that might look bad in order to make problems disappear. — Jennifer Wright, Harper's BAZAAR, "What Will Actually Happen to Trump?," 19 Dec. 2018 In April 2018, Kanye West declared his support for Trump on Twitter. — Jessica Chou, Glamour, "Shawn Holley Will Free You Now," 11 Dec. 2018

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.