1
as in pretending
to present a false appearance of
professed friendship while secretly plotting revenge
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in declaring
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 insisting
to state as a fact usually forcefully
he professed his innocence to anyone who would listen
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of professing
The act of professing an oath on a sacred text not only signals fidelity to the Gospel message but also underscores the primacy of scripture to the archbishop’s ministry, a fitting gesture for the nominal leader of one of the largest branches of Christianity.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica, 25 Mar. 2026
Columbia Acting President Claire Shipman wrote in a morning email to students and faculty the Department of Homeland Security gained access to the Manhattan building by professing to be searching for a missing person.
—Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 26 Feb. 2026
Quenneville likes the comparison to Perry, professing an affinity for a player who was, for years, an adversarial nuisance.
—Eric Stephens, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
In response, Carlson sent Goldberg a series of hostile texts professing ignorance and warning Goldberg not to make his criticism public.
—Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2026
Murph the Surf and two of his boys were collared two days later, professing that the goods were gone.
—Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Texas pulled off an upset against in-state rival Texas A&M on Friday night in a thrilling 27-17 victory that had head coach Steve Sarkisian professing his 9-3 Longhorns should make the College Football Playoff.
—Andrew McCarty, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2025
Meghan Markle is professing her love for Prince Harry five years after the couple’s royal exit.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 20 Nov. 2025
Warning signs, per federal guidance, can include someone quickly professing love, claiming to live far away, requests to move conversations to other apps and having bad grammar.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025
Encyclopedia Britannica, 25 Mar. 2026
Columbia Acting President Claire Shipman wrote in a morning email to students and faculty the Department of Homeland Security gained access to the Manhattan building by professing to be searching for a missing person.
—Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 26 Feb. 2026
Quenneville likes the comparison to Perry, professing an affinity for a player who was, for years, an adversarial nuisance.
—Eric Stephens, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
In response, Carlson sent Goldberg a series of hostile texts professing ignorance and warning Goldberg not to make his criticism public.
—Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2026
Murph the Surf and two of his boys were collared two days later, professing that the goods were gone.
—Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Texas pulled off an upset against in-state rival Texas A&M on Friday night in a thrilling 27-17 victory that had head coach Steve Sarkisian professing his 9-3 Longhorns should make the College Football Playoff.
—Andrew McCarty, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2025
Meghan Markle is professing her love for Prince Harry five years after the couple’s royal exit.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 20 Nov. 2025
Warning signs, per federal guidance, can include someone quickly professing love, claiming to live far away, requests to move conversations to other apps and having bad grammar.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for professing
Verb
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After the shot missed wildly, mascots rushed the floor pretending the deep 3-pointer went through the net.—
Bennett Conlin,
Baltimore Sun,
2 Apr. 2026
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Dayle’s satirical novel follows a white flag-bearer pretending to be a Black soldier during the Civil War.—
Mike Danahey,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The parties’ prospects for reaching an agreement — and what Trump’s options become for declaring success — will depend on how the ceasefire goes in the coming days, Harrison said.—
Justine McDaniel,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
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In Asia, looming fuel shortages are prompting governments to take drastic measures, with the Philippines declaring a national energy emergency.—
Hanna Ziady,
CNN Money,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But confusion remains over the basis of the plan for those talks, with Iran insisting on a 10-point plan that includes its full control over the Strait of Hormuz, removal of sanctions and accepting Iran's right to enrichment.—
NPR Staff,
NPR,
9 Apr. 2026
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France has been critical, insisting that the war was launched without respecting international law and that Paris was never consulted about it.—
Lorne Cook,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But rather that sometimes, particularly with adult-child conflicts, the adult has to be very intentional about trying their best and assuming the best of the child.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
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The team went into filming Company Retreat assuming the process would be easier than season one.—
Angelina Mazza,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Neighborhoods have been torched for asserting voting rights or attempting to desegregate schools.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Apr. 2026
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The memo and other documents referred to Musk multiple times as the head of DOGE, although other parts of the government were asserting that same month that Musk was not the person in charge of the department.—
David Ingram,
NBC news,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Chippewa Cree Tribe and Piikani Lodge Health Institute lost millions after USDA terminated 49 of 50 farm grants, alleging diversity, equity and inclusion issues and wasteful spending.—
Nora Mabie,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2026
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Iranian Revolutionary Guards took credit for the strike, alleging the jet was brought down in southwestern Iran Friday morning.—
Olivia Rinaldi,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The first modern computers used analog systems, which were especially useful for solving problems and simulating dynamic systems in real time.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
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Finance can also use AI to improve forecasting—and to develop predictive forecasts—not only by generating new scenarios but simulating them, too, Mittal says.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Today, there's writing on the wall outside, proclaiming the miracle of Ho Khanh.—
Nicole Young,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
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Misao took a microphone, proudly proclaiming her dedication to justice.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Professing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/professing. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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