1
as in to pretend
to present a false appearance of
professed friendship while secretly plotting revenge
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to declare
to state clearly and strongly
the lonely woman professed her love in a series of letters to the soldier
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to insist
to state as a fact usually forcefully
he professed his innocence to anyone who would listen
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of profess
After the massive trauma crisis is resolved, Owen professes his desire to be with Teddy and move to Paris, where Teddy was considering a once-in-a-lifetime research position.
—
Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 7 May 2026
The titular character survived in the end and professed his love to Mary (Rochelle Aytes).
—Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 4 May 2026
Even former faces of prestige TV like Jon Hamm and Lena Dunham publicly profess their devotion to Southern Charm and Vanderpump Rules.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 4 May 2026
Vance professes to be ‘obsessed’ with UFO files Trump appears skeptical about the existence of extraterrestrial life.
—Collin Binkley, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for profess
Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 7 May 2026
The titular character survived in the end and professed his love to Mary (Rochelle Aytes).
—Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 4 May 2026
Even former faces of prestige TV like Jon Hamm and Lena Dunham publicly profess their devotion to Southern Charm and Vanderpump Rules.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 4 May 2026
Vance professes to be ‘obsessed’ with UFO files Trump appears skeptical about the existence of extraterrestrial life.
—Collin Binkley, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for profess
Recent Examples of Synonyms for profess
Verb
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How might Infantino continue to profess neutrality while still clearly taking a side, pretending to listen to every voice while remaining obedient to only one?—
Chris Jones,
The Atlantic,
7 June 2026
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Organizations that have spent decades pretending that the best way to find a new audience is to alienate your existing one are beginning to realize the cost of their folly.—
Philip Kennicott,
Washington Post,
7 June 2026
Verb
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On a sunny afternoon in May 2024, a hundred New England foodies gathered on the steps of the US Capitol to declare New Haven, Connecticut—in as official a manner as possible—the pizza capital of the United States.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
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He was charged additionally with failing to declare consulting income on his tax returns from 2020 to 2022.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
7 June 2026
Verb
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Over the years, Beckham doubled down on having no regrets over the sarong, insisting past fashion choices were entirely his own.—
Sheena McKenzie,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
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According to Kahn, the editorial was published with a disclaimer, added by ADA leadership, insisting that the ADA had nothing to do with developing or writing the article.—
Jennifer Ouellette,
ArsTechnica,
6 June 2026
Verb
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Pack further assumed that anyone with valuable information about Guthrie’s alleged kidnapping is likely not sleeping well these days.—
Allison DeGrushe,
StyleCaster,
4 June 2026
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Because the world assumes that all people are heteronormative and cisgenger, kids can often be on the back foot when talking about their relationships and identity.—
Taylor Grothe,
Parents,
4 June 2026
Verb
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At some point, though, gravity will surely assert itself.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
8 June 2026
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The lawsuit asserts claims of legal malpractice and breach of contract against Balch & Bingham and Anulewicz.—
Zachary Bynum,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
Verb
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The driver, identified as Rivas, showed signs of impairment, state police alleged, and fled as troopers checked him out for a potential DWI arrest.—
Dennis Romero,
NBC news,
9 June 2026
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In June 2025, the union representing state engineers sued the Newsom administration alleging that the order violated state labor law by failing to confer with the union over its impacts.—
Kassia Bonesteel,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Each combination was used to simulate one year of atmospheric conditions and then scored against metrics like the number of tropical cyclones that occurred or the difference between energy entering and leaving the top of the atmosphere.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
8 June 2026
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Evolving threats from drones and AI In January, thousands of officials involved in World Cup security gathered for exercises simulating crowd surges, vehicle attacks and mass shootings.—
Jake Offenhartz,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
Verb
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Across 45 recipes — each its own kind of breadcrumb-naming treatise — the duo proclaims how versatile the kitchen staple both is and can be.—
Scott Hocker,
TheWeek,
8 June 2026
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Beqaa Valley, Lebanon — Not too long ago, Hezbollah was proclaimed all but defeated.—
Mick Krever,
CNN Money,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Profess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/profess. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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