proffered; proffering
ˈprä-f(ə-)riŋ 
US law
: to offer to take part in a proffer session
decided that an indictment was unlikely and there was no reason to proffer
1
: offer, suggestion
2
US law
: an offer made to a prosecutor by a person who is a subject of a criminal investigation to provide information in exchange for limited immunity or a plea bargaining agreement
made a proffer in the hope of avoiding prosecution
Did you know?
As rhyming synonyms, proffer and offer are quite the pair, and we can proffer an explanation as to why: both come ultimately from Latin offerre, meaning “to present, tender, proffer, offer.” Offer had been part of the language for hundreds of years before proffer was adopted by way of an Anglo-French intermediary in the 14th century. A more formal word than its plainer relation, proffer often emphasizes courteousness on the part of the one doing the tendering.
Examples of proffer in a Sentence
Verb
He proffered advice on how best to proceed.
proffered his assistance in helping the two sides reach a compromise
Noun
a generous proffer of his baronial estate for the charity gala
Recent Examples on the Web
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026
Nonfiction soared in the years leading up to 2020, as readers snapped up titles proffering explanations of populism, social justice, and climate change.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 19 Dec. 2025
Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 8 Jan. 2026
However, the testimony is included as a proffer by Brittany Byrd's legal team as part of her appeal with the Faulkner County Circuit Court.
—Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for proffer
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Verb
ComEd will announce this spring how many of those applicants have agreed to proffer the $200 million to $300 million in nonrefundable commitments in order to move forward.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026
Nonfiction soared in the years leading up to 2020, as readers snapped up titles proffering explanations of populism, social justice, and climate change.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 19 Dec. 2025
Noun
But under questioning from Cruz, Vladeck conceded that approving a nondisclosure order without any factual proffer would be inconsistent with a judge’s oath, if that hypothetical were true.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 8 Jan. 2026
However, the testimony is included as a proffer by Brittany Byrd's legal team as part of her appeal with the Faulkner County Circuit Court.
—Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for proffer
Cite this Entry
“Proffer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proffer. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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