profess

verb

prə-ˈfes How to pronounce profess (audio)
Definition of professnext
1
as in to pretend
to present a false appearance of professed friendship while secretly plotting revenge

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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

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 profess Although Wilde professed to love the script, Araki wanted to be clear on what the role required. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 23 July 2026 Heidi Klum has long professed her preference for her birthday suit over any other type of attire. — Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026 Famously, having read an interview in which Keegan professed to missing British cereal, the club’s fans organised and paid for a shipment of Shredded Wheat. — James Pearce, New York Times, 22 July 2026 Though the two have not divulged a complete explanation for their divorce, both have since professed admiration for one other. — Rance Collins, Entertainment Weekly, 18 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for profess
Recent Examples of Synonyms for profess
  1. pretend
  2. declare
  3. insist
  4. assume
  5. assert
  6. allege
  7. simulate
  8. proclaim
Verb
  • Storch does not pretend to be a long-distance lover of English football.
    — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • An ostrich recommends that Taylor hide and pretend nothing happened.
    — Liz Rosenberg, The Conversation, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of pretend
Verb
  • The outbreak has gained momentum since it was declared on May 15, as weak health infrastructure, community resistance and instability hinder the effort to identify and respond to cases.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The province's governor declared a 14-day state of emergency on Sunday.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of declare
Verb
  • Instead, airlines are insisting on custom designs to stand out.
    — Edward Russell, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
  • And alumni are among the college’s best ambassadors for spreading that message, insists Emma Donatille, executive director of the WCC Foundation that has handed out nearly $440,000 in scholarships over the years.
    — Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of insist
Verb
  • States with higher average benefits would see larger cuts, according to CRFB, whose analysis assumes a 24% across-the-board cut.
    — Lorie Konish, CNBC, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Hayden Heights For years, any number of drivers passing the Hayden Heights Library on White Bear Avenue have assumed the boxy, unadorned 1979 building was some form of warehouse or private office, according to library surveys.
    — Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of assume
Verb
  • But at least one Lake Worth Beach city commissioner asserted involvement of local authorities in immigration enforcement is a bad idea.
    — David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The defendant’s lawyers disputed that argument, asserting the evidence doesn’t prove Robinson’s motivation was connected to Kirk’s political or religious beliefs.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of assert
Verb
  • Saturday’s statement alleged that Qatar had not allowed the pilots to meet or communicate with families or Iranian officials handling their cases.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
  • And, so far, at least four cases alleging that, including the most prominent case against an Olympic canoeist, have been dropped because of a lack of evidence.
    — Will Weissert, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of allege
Verb
  • The ride is more of an amusement park-like thrill attraction, in which guests will sit in two-person pods and then attach to a mechanical arm that will lift them into the air and attempt to simulate sensations of flight.
    — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Getting real, not simulated, data on the vest’s performance would mean sending it onboard an Orion spacecraft all the way to deep space and waiting for a solar storm to happen, which is hardly feasible.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of simulate
Verb
  • It's been a good six episodes since Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy) at long last seized the Iron Throne and proclaimed herself Queen of the Seven Kingdoms in House of the Dragon Season 3.
    — Megan McCluskey, Time, 10 Aug. 2026
  • On Thursday, LeVota proclaimed his innocence and vowed to stay in office as the case proceeds.
    — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of proclaim

Browse Nearby Words

profanity
profess
professed
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Cite this Entry

“Profess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/profess. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of profess for Spanish Speakers

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