DECLARE Synonyms: 169 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'declare' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of declare are announce , proclaim , and promulgate . While all these words mean "to make known publicly," declare implies explicitness and usually formality in making known. // the referee declared the contest a draw

Q: Where would 'announce' be a reasonable alternative to 'declare'?

The meanings of announce and declare largely overlap; however, announce implies the declaration of something for the first time. // announced their engagement at a party

Q: When might 'proclaim' be a better fit than 'declare'?

While the synonyms proclaim and declare are close in meaning, proclaim implies declaring clearly, forcefully, and authoritatively. // the president proclaimed a national day of mourning

Q: In what contexts can 'promulgate' take the place of 'declare'?

The words promulgate and declare can be used in similar contexts, but promulgate implies the proclaiming of a dogma, doctrine, or law. // promulgated an edict of religious toleration

declare

verb

di-ˈkler

Definition of declare next

as in to announce

to make known openly or publicly she chose to declare her presidential aspirations at her college alma mater

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as in to insist

to state as a fact usually forcefully she would declare her innocence to the whole world if she could

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as in to assert

to state clearly and strongly our guest enthusiastically declared that the pie was the best he had ever eaten

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as in to reveal

to make known (something abstract) through outward signs though she was silent, her expression declared her unwillingness to go along with the others

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb declare differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of declare are announce, proclaim, and promulgate. While all these words mean "to make known publicly," declare implies explicitness and usually formality in making known.

the referee declared the contest a draw

Where would announce be a reasonable alternative to declare?

The meanings of announce and declare largely overlap; however, announce implies the declaration of something for the first time.

announced their engagement at a party

When might proclaim be a better fit than declare?

While the synonyms proclaim and declare are close in meaning, proclaim implies declaring clearly, forcefully, and authoritatively.

the president proclaimed a national day of mourning

In what contexts can promulgate take the place of declare?

The words promulgate and declare can be used in similar contexts, but promulgate implies the proclaiming of a dogma, doctrine, or law.

promulgated an edict of religious toleration

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 declare Measles was declared eliminated in both countries more than a quarter-century ago – a historic public-health achievement. —

Mary Beth Sheridan, CNN Money, 17 May 2026 The 2018–2020 outbreak in eastern DRC was not declared a PHEIC until July 2019, nearly a year in, after the virus reached the city of Goma. —

John Drake, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026 Does Taiwan have any intention of declaring independence formally from China? —

CBS News, 17 May 2026 The World Health Organization on Sunday declared a global health emergency over an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. —

Lauren Morganbesser, semafor.com, 17 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for declare

Recent Examples of Synonyms for declare

Verb

The people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced.

— Will Graves, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2026
On the one-year anniversary of Wilson's death back in February, Southern University announced its plans to honor him with a posthumous degree and shared a statement remembering the late student.

— Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 17 May 2026

Definition of announce

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declare

declared

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“Declare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/declare. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

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