proclaim

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb proclaim differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of proclaim are announce, declare, and promulgate. While all these words mean "to make known publicly," proclaim implies declaring clearly, forcefully, and authoritatively.

the president proclaimed a national day of mourning

When could announce be used to replace proclaim?

The words announce and proclaim are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, announce implies the declaration of something for the first time.

announced their engagement at a party

When might declare be a better fit than proclaim?

Although the words declare and proclaim have much in common, declare implies explicitness and usually formality in making known.

the referee declared the contest a draw

In what contexts can promulgate take the place of proclaim?

The words promulgate and proclaim 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 proclaim Landau after all was the music critic who famously proclaimed Bruce the future rock and roll. Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 30 Aug. 2025 Within the Oslo Accords framework, this was to take place under the leadership of members of the PLO, who returned from exile proclaiming that a Palestinian state would soon be established in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Literary Hub august 27, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2025 Swift and Kelce quietly started dating in August 2023 shortly after the Kansas City Chiefs star loudly proclaimed his interest on his New Heights podcast the month prior. Glamour, 26 Aug. 2025 In fact, once the money for a new concrete stadium started rolling in, Chancellor Ernest Lindley proclaimed May 10, 1921 as Stadium. Randy Mason august 22, Kansas City Star, 22 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for proclaim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proclaim
Verb
  • Any Mega Millions winners will be posted here once announced by lottery officials.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Upwards of ten thousand fans made the trip each year, but despite the match-up’s popularity and history, the Georgia Tech administration unexpectedly announced its intention to end the series when the contract ran out in the late 1970s.
    Elizabeth Hutchison Hicklin, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Close relatives of the federal official who has accused a Federal Reserve governor of improperly claiming primary residence on two properties have declared the same status on two homes in two different states, public records show.
    Marisa Taylor, Freep.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • He was declared dead at the scene, according to Capt.
    Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • His obituary had also not yet been published by the funeral home.
    Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
  • The study is published in the journal Science.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 13 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Proclaim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proclaim. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.

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