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 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 See All Example Sentences for profess

Recent Examples of Synonyms for profess

Verb

But growth and affordability are pulling in opposite directions right now, and Hampton's leadership doesn’t pretend otherwise.

— Asia Alexander, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Maybe the most ethical – and enjoyable – way to travel now is to stop pretending you live there and embrace your status as a tourist.

— Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 31 July 2026

Definition of pretend

Verb

Rignol has spent over a year in court insisting that Yale used the wrong tools, followed the wrong procedures, asked for the wrong file, and reached the wrong conclusions.

— Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026
Supporters insist their measure is nonpartisan, noting that Democratic lawmakers also tried to restrict citizen initiatives before Republicans gained control of the Capitol.

— ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026

Definition of insist

Verb

Communication Problems Are Shaped By Expectations Most people assume searching a computer screen means looking everywhere.

— Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
One of those 12 teams will assume the world championship from West Suburban LL, the 2025 champs who hailed from Johnstown, Penn.

— Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of assume

Verb

For Lynnette Grey Bull, who is Northern Arapaho and Hunkpapa Lakota, returning to Colorado is less about reclaiming the past than about asserting the present.

— Anna Alejo, CBS News, 31 July 2026
In addition, Fed Chair Kevin Warsh has repeatedly asserted that inflation needs to be lower to hit the FOMC’s targets, perhaps implying a need for higher interest rates to achieve that.

— Simon Moore, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026

Definition of assert

Verb

As officers worked to disperse traffic, prosecutors allege Stacer sprayed the officers' vehicle with a fire extinguisher.

— Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
Prosecutors allege Williams and several other suspects held a victim against his will, pistol whipped him and stripped him of his belongings, Boyd said.

— Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of allege

Verb

Here’s music that doesn’t just deal with pain but structurally simulates it—music about falling apart that falls apart itself.

— Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 2 Aug. 2026
Remigio collected the ball in the end zone and ran it up the field to simulate an in-game situation.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026

Definition of simulate

Verb

The police department received state accreditation, which the mayor and police director have proclaimed demonstrates that officers have implemented modern policing practices.

— Brandon Goldner, CBS News, 30 July 2026
Last year, Thumbtack proclaimed 2025 as The Year of the Backyard – for the second year in a row.

— Terri Williams, Forbes.com, 29 July 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 6 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of profess

verb

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