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 Lincoln couldn’t proclaim slavery abolished in the states that hadn’t left the Union. Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 20 June 2025 After 15 years of annually proclaiming Big Red back, this is the year. Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 20 June 2025 Two weeks later, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini returned from exile in Iraq and led a drive to abolish the monarchy and proclaim an Islamic government. Jeffrey Fields, The Conversation, 18 June 2025 In front of an excited crowd of Venezuelans in Miami in 2019, the president proclaimed that Maduro’s days were numbered. Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for proclaim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proclaim
Verb
  • The remaining eight starters for the All-Star Game will also be announced on Monday.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 29 June 2025
  • Two more property insurers have been approved to serve Florida’s beleaguered homeowner market, the state Office of Insurance Regulation announced.
    Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2025
Verb
  • And the Justice Department warned that declaring the funding scheme unconstitutional would jeopardize many other programs.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 28 June 2025
  • Jariwala was transported from her home in Andheri to a hospital, where she was declared dead by the doctors, Mumbai police told ANI, which reported that police received information about her death at around 1 a.m. local time.
    Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • Fox News Digital sent press queries to the White House and the U.S. State Department, seeking comment about the open letter published on Truth Social to President Trump.
    Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 21 June 2025
  • Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Proclaim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proclaim. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

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