professing

verb

present participle of profess
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

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 professing Phoebe Bridgers has never been shy about professing her love for mainstream country music. — Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2026 Millions of votes are not yet cast, and anyone professing to know exactly what's going to happen is lying. — Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 13 Oct. 2026 The designer, who was hailed as a visionary in the industry throughout the ‘90s and early ‘00s, sparked outrage in 2011 following multiple antisemitic and racist incidents, including professing his love for Hitler at a restaurant in Paris. — Sabienna Bowman, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026 For graduates pessimistic about AI’s implications for the labor market, claims professing its value feel inauthentic. — Evan Clarkson, The Conversation, 6 Aug. 2026 The finale ended with Malcolm finally professing his feelings for Lori. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 7 July 2026 In recent campaign communications, all three Democrats running to become the next governor of Kansas have cited internal data professing themselves to be leading their primary competition. — Matthew Kelly updated June 26, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2026 Carolla then turned more serious, professing his lifelong love of the medium. — City News Service, Daily News, 28 May 2026 After professing an oath of faithfulness to observe the customs of the cathedral, the archbishop may place a hand upon it or kiss it. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 25 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for professing
  1. pretending
  2. declaring
  3. insisting
  4. assuming
  5. asserting
  6. alleging
  7. simulating
  8. proclaiming
Verb
  • The shooting prompted national media coverage, with news outlets in Georgia describing Brayden as an outgoing child and a fan of Spider-Man who loved playing as the superhero by pretending to shoot webs and jump around.
    — Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Honor isn't pretending that the Magic 9 can go toe-to-toe with Hollywood-grade camera rigs.
    — Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of pretending
Verb
  • There are, naturally, a few bones to pick before declaring victory over aging.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Nov. 2026
  • While the Associated Press had not called that race by late Wednesday and the Republican candidate, Dan Green, had not conceded publicly, Soto sent out a statement declaring victory.
    — Annie Martin, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of declaring
Verb
  • But the monthslong dispute has devolved into a battle of competing narratives, with residents accusing ComEd of dishonesty and the utility insisting their critics misunderstand the project.
    — Lila Hempel-Edgers, Chicago Tribune, 9 Nov. 2026
  • The kitchen has been remodeled with the owners insisting on it meeting the highest standards for design excellence, craftsmanship, and ease of use.
    — James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of insisting
Verb
  • But in most cases, Miss Manners hopes that people would begin by assuming the best.
    — Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The Last Click Reveals What Drove A Sale Stop assuming the last click explains the purchase.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of assuming
Verb
  • Wyden also declared expanding healthcare and asserting authority over trade policy as legislative priorities for the upcoming session.
    — Spencer Kimball,Garrett Downs,Dan Mangan,Kevin Breuninger,Justin Papp, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Then in June, the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel issued a memo asserting that Section 504 and the ADA don’t actually mandate that states support disabled people to remain integrated in their communities.
    — Rebekah Taussig, Time, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of asserting
Verb
  • OpenAI faces several lawsuits from state AGs and plaintiff attorneys, taking cues from the social media suits in alleging that the design of ChatGPT can pose risks to children.
    — Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 7 Nov. 2026
  • The family of a victim who suffered a traumatic brain injury and a broken nose filed a lawsuit against Mater Dei and the Diocese of Orange, alleging the Mater Dei administration covered up the incident.
    — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of alleging
Verb
  • Some examples include importing a long spreadsheet of customer records, simulating how an accounting batch will affect the general ledger before posting it or previewing the impact of a transaction on a project budget.
    — Steve Cangiano, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Back in 2016, in the turquoise waters of Tetiaroa island, Gagnon and Sachs were tasked with simulating the impact of rising levels of planet-heating pollution on a small patch of coral reef.
    — Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of simulating
Verb
  • Wendy has decided, in true Catholic fashion, that she will be redeemed by loudly proclaiming her suffering.
    — Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 2 Nov. 2026
  • But this particular reality show tries to justify its controversial existence by proclaiming its seriousness with regards to psychology, philosophy, and current events.
    — Judy Berman, Time, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of proclaiming

Browse Nearby Words

professes
professing
profession
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Cite this Entry

“Professing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/professing. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

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