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

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 In 1861, Abraham Lincoln was officially declared winner of the 1860 presidential election as electors cast their ballots. — BostonGlobe.com, "This day in history," 13 Feb. 2020 Finland has been declared the happiest country on earth. — Bernhard Warner, Fortune, "Multinationals see a new coronavirus red flag on the horizon—a stronger dollar," 10 Feb. 2020 But the roof has been declared unstable and the hangar off-limits to reporters, leaving safe work space for perhaps 20 journalists, down from 60 when the defendants were arraigned in 2012. — Carol Rosenberg, New York Times, "With a Year Until Guantánamo’s 9/11 Trial, the Military Has a Long To-Do List," 9 Feb. 2020 But Mr Tshisekedi was declared the winner and sworn in as president in January 2019. — The Economist, "A tale of two elections A rigged vote is overturned in Malawi. Why not in Congo?," 8 Feb. 2020 Never mind that a winner hasn't been declared, at least as of Thursday afternoon. — Chris Sikich, Indianapolis Star, "Pete Buttigieg surges in New Hampshire after seizing Iowa narrative with claim of victory," 7 Feb. 2020 The 2019-nCoV outbreak has not yet been declared a pandemic, as the majority of cases have occurred in China. — Rachael Rettner, Scientific American, "How Does the New Coronavirus Compare with the Flu?," 7 Feb. 2020 Sleeplessness was declared a national health crisis by The Center for Disease Control, which in turn has brought on discussion of the perils of becoming reliant on ingesting prescription pills. — Seth King, Quartz, "Could a little-known cannabinoid upend the natural sleep-aid market?," 6 Feb. 2020 Namkai-Meche was declared dead later at a hospital. — oregonlive, "‘They signed their own death warrant,’ Jeremy Christian told police after MAX train stabbings, detective testifies," 5 Feb. 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.