declare

Definition of declarenext
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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb declare differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of declare are announce, proclaim, and promulgate. While all these words mean "to make known publicly," declare implies explicitness and usually formality in making known.

the referee declared the contest a draw

Where would announce be a reasonable alternative to declare?

The meanings of announce and declare largely overlap; however, announce implies the declaration of something for the first time.

announced their engagement at a party

When might proclaim be a better fit than declare?

While the synonyms proclaim and declare are close in meaning, proclaim implies declaring clearly, forcefully, and authoritatively.

the president proclaimed a national day of mourning

In what contexts can promulgate take the place of declare?

The words promulgate and declare can be used in similar contexts, but promulgate implies the proclaiming of a dogma, doctrine, or law.

promulgated an edict of religious toleration

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of declare Kosovo's economy has struggled ever since the country declared independence from Serbia in 2008 following a war. ABC News, 29 Mar. 2026 Officials brought him back, where he was officially declared the winner. Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2026 Not every nonprofit that declares itself a fighter for peace, and requests funding accordingly, will be worth the fiscal confidence of others. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026 The second person who was trapped inside of the vehicle was declared dead at the scene by LAFD paramedics. Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for declare
Recent Examples of Synonyms for declare
Verb
  • On Saturday afternoon, CPAC announced the results of a straw poll of attendees.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Mar. 2026
  • The Raiders’ valuation has soared to nearly eight billion dollars, largely owing to high stadium revenues; earlier this year, Clark County, home to Las Vegas, announced school-budget cuts.
    Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Martha sat on the other bed and thought about what a perverse species humans were—to insist on eating something that had tried so hard to be inedible.
    Cassandra Neyenesch, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026
  • House and Senate Democrats, meanwhile, insisted that the easiest and quickest way to end the shutdown would be for the House to pass the Senate compromise.
    Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Carolyn’s mother asserts that John was responsible for the crash.
    Jeff Wise, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2026
  • But now the deal has been paused amid legal challenges asserting that Nexstar-Tegna violates antitrust laws.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Thirty-one years after winning Best Actor for Forrest Gump, Tom Hanks and the film’s cast are still revealing behind-the-scenes secrets — from a studio standoff over money to a prosthetic lip that nearly destroyed an actor’s career.
    Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Unlike Diana, Kate’s ‘Balmoral Test’ and subsequent visits might reveal her more durable alignment with the family’s dynamics, both in private and public.
    Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Today, there's writing on the wall outside, proclaiming the miracle of Ho Khanh.
    Nicole Young, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Improving Americans’ nutrition is a major pillar of Kennedy’s loudly proclaimed MAHA agenda.
    Arthur Caplan, Hartford Courant, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Around this time Denise and Aaron filed a civil lawsuit against the City of Vallejo claiming defamation and emotional distress.
    Lauren Clark, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
  • And those four claimed the first four spots in Saturday’s race.
    Clark Spencer, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Look, Emmel never professed to be perfect, which is also his point.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 26 Mar. 2026
  • The countries involved, at the time of the USMCA’s negotiation, professed a desire to reduce reliance on China.
    Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 18 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • And, to honor the occasion, the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations (Mucem), in Marseille, decided to display a guillotine in full view.
    Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026
  • French cheeses displayed in a store in Paris.
    Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Declare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/declare. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.

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