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 Males choose conspicuous basking locations — a rock, stucco wall or, well, a fence — to woo females and proclaim ownership of a territory. Sean Greene, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025 The legacy of Apollo, and of our robot explorers in the solar system is a real and worthy America first legacy, one that proclaims American leadership based on a peaceful and global aspiration: for the benefit of all humankind. Louis Friedman, Scientific American, 24 Apr. 2025 Upon the success of its first year, 5850 Fest has already proclaimed its dates for next year. Kristin L. Wolfe, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025 There are a couple of reasons why proclaiming the Good News from the Department of State’s website isn’t such good news. Chloe Breyer, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for proclaim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proclaim
Verb
  • The Vatican has not announced a date that the tourist attractions will reopen, as there is no fixed time limit for the election, which is officially known as a conclave.
    Tessa Solomon for ARTnews, Robb Report, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Barbra Streisand has announced The Secret of Life: Partners, Volume 2, an all-star duets album featuring Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Ariana Grande, Mariah Carey, and more.
    Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 30 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Trump declared members of crime gangs Tren de Aragua and MS-13 as foreign terrorist organizations and invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport them more swiftly.
    Zac Anderson, USA Today, 1 May 2025
  • There's no sign of the outbreak slowing, and the nation's overall case count is on track to be the highest since the mid-1990s, before measles was declared eliminated in 2000.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 30 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In May 2024, Combs was seen striking and dragging Ventura in a 2016 surveillance video first published by CNN.
    Alli Rosenbloom, CNN Money, 3 May 2025
  • Hailing from the Mountain State, he has been published in newspapers and magazines throughout West Virginia, as well as in Virginia.
    Chris Slater, The Washington Examiner, 3 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on proclaim

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