Synonym Chooser

How does the verb promulgate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of promulgate are announce, declare, and proclaim. While all these words mean "to make known publicly," promulgate implies the proclaiming of a dogma, doctrine, or law.

promulgated an edict of religious toleration

When is it sensible to use announce instead of promulgate?

In some situations, the words announce and promulgate are roughly equivalent. However, announce implies the declaration of something for the first time.

announced their engagement at a party

In what contexts can declare take the place of promulgate?

Although the words declare and promulgate have much in common, declare implies explicitness and usually formality in making known.

the referee declared the contest a draw

When can proclaim be used instead of promulgate?

The meanings of proclaim and promulgate largely overlap; however, proclaim implies declaring clearly, forcefully, and authoritatively.

the president proclaimed a national day of mourning

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 promulgate Furthermore, your administrative decision appears to contravene the standards of care promulgated by leading professional organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Pediatric Endocrine Society and the Society of Pediatric Psychology. Kaitlin McCallum, Hartford Courant, 24 July 2025 Since the news was promulgated, entertainment analysts have been busy looking for the murder weapon. Charles C. W. Cooke, National Review, 21 July 2025 The lawsuit argues that the OMB promulgated the use of the clause in question to justify the cuts. Michael Casey, Denver Post, 25 June 2025 The legislation also includes two bills previously passed by the House that seek to limit regulatory power, giving either Congress the power to strike down regulations promulgated by agencies. Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for promulgate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for promulgate
Verb
  • Sign up to receive our biggest stories as soon as they’re published.
    Robert Faturechi, ProPublica, 6 Sep. 2025
  • The Hollywood Reporter published their accounts, which included one woman’s claim that the actor waited for her outside of a restroom and forcefully pushed her against a wall and kissed her.
    Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The announcement came on Saturday morning during the Italian Grand Prix weekend, over a year after his last contract extension was announced in June 2024.
    Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Winners would be announced at fairs with ticket holders in the audience.
    Safiyah Riddle, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Following that was a dizzying parade of additional tariffs, delays in implementation, claimed deals with other countries and regions (some of which disputed the details the White House proclaimed).
    Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
  • Landau after all was the music critic who famously proclaimed Bruce the future rock and roll.
    Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 30 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Close relatives of the federal official who has accused a Federal Reserve governor of improperly claiming primary residence on two properties have declared the same status on two homes in two different states, public records show.
    Marisa Taylor, Freep.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • He was declared dead at the scene, according to Capt.
    Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Seattle’s defense was mostly as advertised.
    Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Kalshi has advertised its sports prediction markets on social media this month using NFL and NFL Players Association imagery without consent, while Polymarket has shared some of the league’s markings in its app without permission.
    Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 8 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Promulgate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/promulgate. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on promulgate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!