declaratory

adjective

de·​clar·​a·​to·​ry di-ˈkler-ə-ˌtȯr-ē 

1

: serving to declare, set forth, or explain

2

a

: declaring what is the existing law

declaratory statute

b

: declaring a legal right or interpretation

a declaratory judgment

Examples of declaratory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The community's lawyer filed a declaratory judgment against City National Bank of Florida in the Miami-Dade Civil Courts. —Larry Seward, CBS News, 12 Dec. 2025

After initially firing Kelly without cause, LSU later retroactively claimed cause to avoid paying his buyout, according to a declaratory action Kelly filed last month in Louisiana State Court. —Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 1 Dec. 2025

Wednesday, seeking a declaratory judgement, attorney’s fees and potential damages, Wolff hit back with a legal action of his own. —Dominic Patten, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2025

In the 12-page complaint, Allen asks the court to restore her position as a research analyst with back pay and to issue a declaratory judgment condemning her ouster from the state agency as a violation of her free speech protections. —Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for declaratory

• accusatory
• admonitory
• ambulatory
• amendatory
• celebratory
• circulatory
• combinatory
• commendatory
• compensatory
• condemnatory
• confirmatory
• confiscatory

Legal Definition

declaratory

adjective

de·​clar·​a·​to·​ry di-ˈklar-ə-ˌtōr-ē 

: serving to declare, set forth, or explain: as

a

: declaring what is the existing law

b

: declaring a legal right or interpretation

declaratory relief

see also declaratory judgment at judgment sense 1a