PROFESS Synonyms: 109 Similar and Opposite Words

profess

verb

prə-ˈfes

Definition of profess

as in to pretend

to present a false appearance of professed friendship while secretly plotting revenge

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

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 By invoking it, witnesses are not acknowledging any criminal liability at all, and many people who profess their absolute innocence choose to exercise their right to remain silent. — ABC News, 29 July 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for profess

Recent Examples of Synonyms for profess

Verb

At one point, though, Jon Hamm does the voice of the mayor but there’s a robot who pretends to be him and is essentially wearing a mayor-skin suit.

— Marah Eakin, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2026
But pretending botanical kratom can’t cause dependence is also dishonest.

— Charles Trepany, USA Today, 21 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

This caused a strained relationship with the company after city officials insisted the extra cost should be covered by PCL.

— Katie Langford, Denver Post, 21 Aug. 2026
Anchor tenant JCPenney fought against a shutdown, insisting its store was still popular and profitable.

— Brian J. Rogal, Chicago Tribune, 20 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

It’s been a while since the Giants asserted themselves as the clearly better team on a field, especially at this time of year.

— Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2026
Hoskins asserted that Missouri’s Constitution doesn’t allow a referendum on congressional redistricting.

— David A. Lieb, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of assert

Verb

IPhone owners alleged Apple forced them to buy apps through its store alone, allowing the company to charge a 30% commission and push prices higher.

— Jeffrey Kopp, CNBC, 22 Aug. 2026
The complaint alleges that the disclosure later became part of an investigation that contributed to his termination.

— Melissa Daimler, Forbes.com, 22 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

In 2024, when the National Electoral Council proclaimed Nicolás Maduro the winner of the presidential election without publishing the results, opposition tallies indicated the opposition candidate, Edmundo González, had won.

— Catherine Ellis, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2026
Mother Teresa was proclaimed a saint by Pope Francis during a canonization ceremony at the Vatican.

— USA Today, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of proclaim

Browse Nearby Words

profanity

profess

professed

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Style

“Profess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/profess. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of profess

verb

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