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

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 Problems with oxygen supply led at least five hospitals in L.A. County to declare an internal disaster, closing their facilities to all ambulance traffic. — Amina Khan Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times, "Coronavirus Today: Our century-old mask wars," 29 Dec. 2020 The plan was to declare that this, Kerr’s seventh season with the Warriors, looms as his biggest coaching challenge. — Scott Ostler, SFChronicle.com, "Steve Kerr’s most challenging season? No, these Warriors will be his most fun," 19 Dec. 2020 There’s no bumper sticker to declare her kids’ success, opting for a more subtle approach talking about the three children she and husband Gordon Jones raised in Jacksonville. — Michael Casagrande | Mcasagrande@al.com, al, "The Mac Jones you don’t know," 17 Dec. 2020 The Texas case essentially asks the Supreme Court to declare the presidential election null and void in those four states, bar their electors from voting, and require the states to choose their presidential electors some other way. — Tyler Olson, Fox News, "Cheney, Buck lead House resolution backing Trump legal efforts: 'Must protect the integrity of our elections'," 11 Dec. 2020 None of this is to declare that the Bears have no chance of pulling off a season-saving upset Sunday night. — Dan Wiederer, chicagotribune.com, "Cover your eyes: It can often be a humiliating experience when the Chicago Bears face the Green Bay Packers in prime time," 27 Nov. 2020 In those days, a minister or governor could declare a Thanksgiving at any time as a way to thank God for something good that had happened, Forrest says. — Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, "Why Do We Eat Turkey on Thanksgiving?," 13 Nov. 2020 In 1957, Ghana became Africa’s first sub-Saharan country to declare independence from a colonial power, in its case Great Britain. — Matt Schudel, Washington Post, "Jerry Rawlings, coup leader who ruled Ghana for 20 years, dies at 73," 13 Nov. 2020 Formally declare a household winner—trophies encouraged. — Stefanie Groner, Glamour, "17 At Home Date Ideas to Get You Out of Your Netflix Rut," 24 Dec. 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.

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Last Updated

16 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Declare.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/declare. Accessed 17 Jan. 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.