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
  • Murderbot has been renewed for a second season, Apple TV+ announced Thursday.
    Shania Russell, EW.com, 11 July 2025
  • In mid-June, HBO Max announced that production on season 2 had begun and is scheduled to premiere in January 2026.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • Clovis, a journalist, opposed the megalomaniacal ambitions of President Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte, who would soon declare himself Emperor Napoleon III.
    Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 11 July 2025
  • In 2000, the CDC declared that measles had been eliminated.
    Brayden Garcia July 11, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • At the time, Ithaca comprised a variety of different endeavors and entities, including Braun’s management company SB Projects (which represented Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, J Balvin, and more), a publishing company, and the country label Big Machine Label Group.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 1 July 2025
  • Despite the Maxton Hall books publishing in 2018, more readers will now be introduced to the books for the first time.
    Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 1 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Proclaim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proclaim. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on proclaim

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