PROCLAIM Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

proclaim

verb

prō-ˈklām

Definition of proclaim next

as in to announce

to make known openly or publicly loudly proclaimed her innocence, to widespread disbelief

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 For the first time, all seven active African-American female bishops of the United Methodist Church will gather from across nation to proclaim the story of Calvary in one place. —

Staff Report, Baltimore Sun, 25 Mar. 2026 Publishers will proclaim that a new novel is beyond compare while, internally, comparing it with other (profitable) novels. —

Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026 Her husband, King Gojong, subsequently sought refuge in the Russian legation and later proclaimed the Great Korean (Dae Han) Empire in 1897 in a symbolic assertion of sovereignty that failed to halt Japan’s advance. —

Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Mar. 2026 Iglesias proclaimed as the crowd cheered. —

Deputy Entertainment, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for proclaim

Recent Examples of Synonyms for proclaim

Verb

The group announced the new mutual aid market on social media, citing community concerns over rising costs as the motivation behind the move.

— Christa Swanson, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
The project is a longstanding proposal that Beijing has previously announced.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Apr. 2026