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 Armed with such sensational journalistic and fictional sources, artists from across the world, one after the other, proclaimed in virtual artistic unison that King Henry had been nothing more than a despot who essentially re-enslaved his people. Marlene L. Daut september 22, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025 Two years later, the monarchy was abolished, and Nepal, the world’s sole Hindu kingdom, proclaimed itself a secular republic. Kapil Komireddi, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025 These proclaimed the Midpeninsula Wine Trail an easy way to get your wine fix without trekking to Wine Country. Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025 Tottenham is part of the borough which researchers at University College London recently proclaimed the most ethnically diverse in Britain-possibly all of Western Europe-with 113 ethnic groups speaking over 193 languages. Adia Harvey Wingfield, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for proclaim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proclaim
Verb
  • Two years after the Golden State Valkyries paid $50 million as a league expansion fee, the three franchises set to enter into the league in 2028, 2029 and 2030 were announced with a corresponding $250 million expansion fee.
    Ben Pickman, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2025
  • In late May, Ludwinski, who opened the pie shop in 2015 on Kercheval in Detroit’s West Village, announced a temporary closure that started June 8.
    Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • After the disappointing finish to his team's season, Alonso declared his intent to opt out of the second year of his contract and re-enter free agency from the Marlins' visiting clubhouse.
    Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Sunday morning, and airport division officers declared the stowaway dead on scene, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said.
    Ayesha Ali, ABC News, 28 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • 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, 4 Oct. 2025
  • An editor verified the accuracy of the information before publishing.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Proclaim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proclaim. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

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