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

Campaigning for the Afghan elections resumed last week after President Donald Trump declared that the U.S.-Taliban talks, which have been going on for months in the Gulf Arab state of Qatar, are over. — Washington Post, "Authorities: Separate attacks in Afghanistan kill 48," 18 Sep. 2019 The Florida and Michigan delegates were eventually restored to their positions ahead of the convention, but only after Barack Obama was declared the presumptive nominee. — John Sharp | Jsharp@al.com, al, "Is the 2020 Democratic presidential primary in Alabama in jeopardy?," 15 Sep. 2019 The city enacted a ban on sharing food in city parks in October 2017 as a safety measure after the San Diego County Board of Supervisors declared the region’s growing hepatitis A outbreak a public health emergency. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Jeff Davis retiring after nearly 35 years with the El Cajon Police Department," 12 Sep. 2019 That’s still the case today, long after the bunkers were last used and 12 years after the U.S. Navy declared its 5,000 acres south of Highway 4 to be surplus property. — John King, SFChronicle.com, "Concord weapons station has fraught history, but development concept has promise," 3 Sep. 2019 There was no hurricane warning in effect in Florida on Thursday, though the governor declared a state of emergency. — oregonlive, "Disney’s new Star Wars park, Labor Day weekend and Hurricane Dorian could lead to perfect storm," 29 Aug. 2019 Ultimately, without announcing who voted for whom, the council declared Councilmember Jim Puffenberger would be the new president pro tempore. — Jack Greiner, Cincinnati.com, "Strictly Legal: Let the sun shine – Ohio style," 26 Aug. 2019 Thousands of service members have deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border since President Trump declared the porous border a crisis last year. — Fox News, "US troops deployed to Mexico border eligible for medal," 21 Aug. 2019 Amid the praise, however, protesters on both sides declared victory — and laid the groundwork for future demonstrations in liberal Portland. — Gillian Flaccus, The Seattle Times, "Authorities praised for handling of protests in Portland," 20 Aug. 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.