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 But who needs to worry about whether your own front door is locked when the preferred strategy is to go around kicking in everyone else’s doors, wrestling with them on their own front lawns, then declaring victory over them 152 times (and counting)? Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 22 Aug. 2026 The two faced off in a special runoff election on Tuesday, and the Associated Press declared Wahab the winner Thursday afternoon. Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026 In 1979, the United States became the first country to declare polio eradicated following years of mass vaccinations; in subsequent decades, many other countries reported similar results. Eli Cahan, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026 During the toddler’s hospital stay, Grace and Myron were told that Malachi was declared brain dead. Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for declare
Recent Examples of Synonyms for declare
Verb
  • The Giants announced on Friday that Mayer, who is currently recovering from a stress reaction in his left forearm, is also dealing with a right foot bone bruise from a previous injury.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Nick Chubb is calling it a career, as the legendary Georgia running back announced his retirement on Instagram on Friday.
    Connor Riley, AJC.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • This caused a strained relationship with the company after city officials insisted the extra cost should be covered by PCL.
    Katie Langford, Denver Post, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Anchor tenant JCPenney fought against a shutdown, insisting its store was still popular and profitable.
    Brian J. Rogal, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • It’s been a while since the Giants asserted themselves as the clearly better team on a field, especially at this time of year.
    Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Hoskins asserted that Missouri’s Constitution doesn’t allow a referendum on congressional redistricting.
    David A. Lieb, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The live ceremony will also reveal winners in categories spanning film, television and commercial work.
    Isabelle Farina, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The Sussexes’ return to the UK after living in the United States for the past six years was revealed last week.
    Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • In 2024, when the National Electoral Council proclaimed Nicolás Maduro the winner of the presidential election without publishing the results, opposition tallies indicated the opposition candidate, Edmundo González, had won.
    Catherine Ellis, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Mother Teresa was proclaimed a saint by Pope Francis during a canonization ceremony at the Vatican.
    USA Today, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Miss Manners remembers when banks started claiming to be their clients’ friends.
    Judith Martin, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • And third-party ship-tracking data showed about half the amount Wright claimed.
    Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • There certainly may be a kernel of truth to Musk’s professed safety concerns, but plowing through bollards that are explitly designed to protect pedestrians from rogue drivers isn’t helping his case.
    Frank Landymore, Futurism, 19 Aug. 2026
  • In the probation report after the conviction, Brambles again professed his innocence.
    Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 13 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • While millions of Americans are hurting from high prices and low hiring, new research suggests the finances of younger generations are displaying surprising resilience.
    Matt Egan, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
  • In one video, creator Deborah Wanjala advocates for the viral Abbey Yung hair method, displaying her years-in-the-making product arsenal packed with Amika, Living Proof, K18, and Redken alongside drugstore brands like Dove and Pantene.
    Ava Welsing-Kitcher, Allure, 24 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Declare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/declare. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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