proclaim

verb pro·claim \ prō-ˈklām , prə- \

|Updated on: 25 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: proclaim in a Sentence

Editor's Note: Did You Know?

Definition of proclaim

proclaimed; proclaiming; proclaims

transitive verb

1 a : to declare publicly, typically insistently, proudly, or defiantly and in either speech or writing : announce

b : to give outward indication of : show

his manner proclaimed his genteel upbringing

2 : to declare or declare to be solemnly, officially, or formally

proclaim an amnesty

proclaim the country a republic

3 : to praise or glorify openly or publicly : extol

proclaimed the rescue workers' efforts

—

proclaimer

noun

See proclaim defined for English-language learners

See proclaim defined for kids

Examples of proclaim in a Sentence

She proclaimed that she will run for governor.
The President proclaimed a national day of mourning.
He took command of the government and proclaimed himself emperor.
The magazine proclaimed him to be the best player in baseball.
He proclaimed his love for her in a poem.
His behavior proclaimed his good upbringing.

Recent Examples of proclaim from the Web

All that led Mayor Mike Duggan to recently proclaim that Matthew Moroun, son of patriarch Manuel (Matty) Moroun and now running the family’s business, one of this region’s fastest emerging leaders.

— john gallagher, Detroit Free Press, "A 'new' image for the Morouns? New bridge TV ad demolishes that fantasy," 21 June 2018
The creator of Ethereum, Vitalik Buterin, consulted with the community and then emerged to proclaim that the money would be restored to its prelapsarian locations on the ledger.

— gideon lewis-kraus, WIRED, "The Blockchain: A Love Story—And a Horror Story," 18 June 2018
Trump moved the goal posts to proclaim his own victory — and gave one to Kim.

— mira rapp-hooper, Washington Post, "The Singapore summit’s three big takeaways," 12 June 2018
But the moral high road is earned, not self-proclaimed.

— gentry estes, The Courier-Journal, "Attorneys: Louisville smeared Rick Pitino and Tom Jurich to save money," 4 June 2018
Cannes has long been the world's most important and prestigious film festival, but this year the doubters have come out to proclaim its irrelevance.

— latimes.com, "Today: Out of the Deal," 9 May 2018
With their performance next week on the Cleveland Chamber Music Society, guitarist Jason Vieaux and mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke have no grand statement to proclaim or musical point to make.

— zachary lewis, cleveland.com, "Guitarist Jason Vieux partners with mezzo Sasha Cooke on special chamber series finale (preview)," 2 May 2018
That has put more value on interior offensive lineman, though McShay didn't go as far as to proclaim that guard is the new tackle in terms of sheer value and importance.

— tom green, AL.com, "Mel Kiper Jr. thinks Braden Smith is 'most underrated' Auburn player in NFL Draft," 18 Apr. 2018
Now, in Indiana's Republican Senate race, all three candidates are falling over each other to proclaim their admiration for the president.

— brian slodysko, Indianapolis Star, "Indiana GOP Senate candidate Todd Rokita called Donald Trump 'vulgar' in 2016 interview," 5 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'proclaim.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

The pro- in proclaim means "forward, out", so a proclamation is an "outward" statement intended for the public. We often think of proclamations as something issued by monarchs or dictators, but Lincoln was able to issue his Emancipation Proclamation because as president he had the power to free the slaves in certain areas. At a slightly lower level, a governor may proclaim a day in honor of the state's firemen, a movie critic may proclaim a director to be the best of all, or you may proclaim your New Year's resolutions to a crowd of friends.

Origin and Etymology of proclaim

Middle English proclamen, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French proclamer, from Latin proclamare, from pro- before + clamare to cry out — more at pro-, claim

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

proclaim Synonyms

Phrases

beat the drum (for or about), run with;

Synonym Discussion of proclaim

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

PROCLAIM Defined for English Language Learners

proclaim

verb

Definition of proclaim for English Language Learners

: to say or state (something) in a public, official, or definite way : to declare or announce (something)
: to show (something) clearly

PROCLAIM Defined for Kids

proclaim

verb pro·claim \ prō-ˈklām \

Definition of proclaim for Students

proclaimed; proclaiming

: to announce publicly : declare

The president proclaimed a holiday.

Word Root of proclaim

The Latin word clamāre, meaning “to shout” or “to cry out,” gives us the root clam and its form claim. Words from the Latin clamāre have something to do with shouting. To exclaim is to cry out in a sudden or emotional way. To proclaim is to announce or shout something publicly. Clamor is noisy shouting.