declare

verb

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de·clare | \ di-ˈkler

declared; declaring

Definition of declare

transitive verb

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 With term limits putting him in his last stint on the City Council, many in City Hall had been convinced Ridley-Thomas would declare his candidacy for mayor. — Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2021 Climate activists pointed to this recent spill as a pressing example of why Biden must declare a climate emergency and block all new fossil fuel projects. — Ellie Silverman, Anchorage Daily News, 11 Oct. 2021 Authorities said another passenger had reported the man acting suspiciously and erratically, prompting the pilot to declare an emergency landing and halting the airplane on the taxiway short of its intended gate around 3 p.m. — BostonGlobe.com, 10 Oct. 2021 Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes by British frigates — a tragedy which led Spain to declare war on Britain, precipitating Trafalgar and the Spanish empire’s definitive loss of dominion at sea. — John Hopewell, Variety, 7 Oct. 2021 While Evergrande has a 30-day grace period before its offshore investors can declare a default, there was no grace period on Fantasia’s bond that matured Monday. — Quentin Webb, WSJ, 6 Oct. 2021 Without those states’ votes for Biden, the memo said Pence could declare that no candidate won the 270 electoral votes needed to win. — al, 21 Sep. 2021 And across the Bay Area, millions of people are beyond eager to move on — if not to quite declare the pandemic over, at least to reclaim much of their former lives. — Erin Allday, San Francisco Chronicle, 1 Oct. 2021 In 1990, Lithuania was the first Soviet republic to declare its independence from Moscow — a cause led by the foreign minister’s grandfather, Vytautas Landsbergis. — New York Times, 30 Sep. 2021

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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Dictionary Entries Near declare

declaratory

declare

declare against

Statistics for declare

Last Updated

19 Oct 2021

Cite this Entry

“Declare.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/declare. Accessed 25 Oct. 2021.

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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.