Synonyms of profess

profess

verb

prə-ˈfes 

1

as in to pretend

to present a false appearance of

professed friendship while secretly plotting revenge

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pretend
• assume
• simulate
• feign
• act
• affect
• pass (for)
• dissemble
• make believe
• put on
• conceal
• pose
• bluff
• fake
• counterfeit
• forge
• imitate
• sham
• play
• impersonate
• let on
• dissimulate
• masquerade
• disguise
• playact
• camouflage
• mask
• malinger
• feint

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

• declare
• assert
• proclaim
• affirm
• say
• announce
• avow
• explain
• aver
• guarantee
• defend
• justify
• lay down
• promote
• pronounce
• advertise
• avouch
• uphold
• convince
• assure
• emphasize
• advocate
• espouse
• publicize
• persuade
• underline
• advance
• accent
• underscore
• stress
• reaffirm
• support
• call
• plug
• boost
• accentuate
• rationalize
• reassert
• blaze
• champion

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• minimize
• ignore
• disregard
• understate
• neglect
• overlook

3

as in to insist

to state as a fact usually forcefully

he professed his innocence to anyone who would listen

Synonyms & Similar Words

• insist
• allege
• claim
• assert
• maintain
• contend
• declare
• affirm
• proclaim
• purport
• announce
• argue
• avow
• aver
• protest
• confirm
• put forth
• defend
• warrant
• reason
• avouch
• justify
• vindicate
• rationalize
• uphold
• broadcast
• reaffirm
• persevere
• reassert
• support

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deny
• abandon
• reject
• repudiate
• disclaim
• gainsay
• negate
• negative
• challenge
• question
• refute
• contradict
• disavow
• dispute
• disprove
• rebut
• disown
• counter
• confute

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of profess

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

The finale ended with Malcolm finally professing his feelings for Lori. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 7 July 2026

Even Kennedy, who has professed a deep interest in fixing the nation’s patchy addiction-treatment infrastructure, has offered no plan for dealing specifically with the country’s favorite drug. — Lev Facher, STAT, 30 June 2026