professes

verb

present tense third-person singular of profess
1
as in pretends
to present a false appearance of professed friendship while secretly plotting revenge

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in declares
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 insists
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 professes On the fashion front, Colman professes to being a big fan of her co-star’s Saint Laurent PVC dress shoes at the BFI London Film Festival this month. — Vogue, 28 Oct. 2026 In the following episode, Maggie professes her love to Lizzie. — Emma Banks, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026 The exhibit, which professes to illustrate storytelling through art in its earliest manifestations, is a jarring introduction to a museum that houses 1,300 original works. — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 All proudly professes himself as a man of faith. — Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 2 June 2026 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 Vance professes to be ‘obsessed’ with UFO files Trump appears skeptical about the existence of extraterrestrial life. — Collin Binkley, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2026 Instead of a mutual parting of ways, Howard professes his love for Nancy and proposes that the two be together. — Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 29 Apr. 2026 Trump often professes his support for farmers. — Anthony Pahnke, Fortune, 14 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for professes
  1. pretends
  2. declares
  3. insists
  4. assumes
  5. asserts
  6. alleges
  7. simulates
  8. proclaims
Verb
  • Directed by Kim Han-gyul, the film is an adaptation of 2012 Swedish film Cockpit about a pilot who pretends to be his own younger sister after being fired from his job.
    — Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Everyone pretends the films were chosen purely on merit, but the slate often reads Hollywood with a lanyard and a conscience.
    — Joseph Kahn, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of pretends
Verb
  • English as official language Idaho already has a state law that declares English our official language.
    — Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The best time to buy depends on the product, the urgency and the shopper’s budget — not on when a retailer declares its biggest event.
    — Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of declares
Verb
  • The star rocker then insists the lake name change was a diversion from a faltering presidency.
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Even after those polls were released, Fazio still insists that the race is tight.
    — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of insists
Verb
  • The overbuild risk The market may already have overbuilt relative to the payback window that data center financing assumes.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Maybe The Mob assumes that someone tuning in to this show is also a loyal viewer of all other reality shows and are aware of whatever drama Demi and Harry are carrying into this setting.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of assumes
Verb
  • There’s the perspective of Pro Football Focus, which asserts Marshall has been as bad as any NFL cornerback could possibly be but appears to be basing that partly on incorrect data.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Only his vote can hasten the abolition of slavery who asserts his own freedom by his vote.
    — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of asserts
Verb
  • The court filing alleges that social media users believed that the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders actually made appearances at the My Chemical Romance concert, and that the circulation of videos was not accidental.
    — Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The left-wing Twitch streamer alleges that Jennings, a conservative podcaster, falsely said Piker had advocated for lynchings.
    — Amy B Wang, Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of alleges
Verb
  • Macy’s Herald Square reimagined Santaland simulates a journey on the North Star Express to the North Pole, and offers extended time with Santa, expedited entries, and gifts.
    — David Moin, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • In turn, Philippine authorities temporarily banned GoreBox, a sandbox-style action game that simulates violence and destruction using weapons.
    — Chad de Guzman, Time, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of simulates
Verb
  • Assane proclaims his innocence, but everything points to his guilt.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Robert proclaims his son a prodigy, and John’s childhood is swept away from him.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of proclaims

Browse Nearby Words

professedly
professes
professing
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Cite this Entry

“Professes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/professes. Accessed 3 Nov. 2026.

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