declare

Definition of declarenext
1
2
3
4

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 Kosovo's economy has struggled ever since the country declared independence from Serbia in 2008 following a war. ABC News, 29 Mar. 2026 Officials brought him back, where he was officially declared the winner. Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2026 Not every nonprofit that declares itself a fighter for peace, and requests funding accordingly, will be worth the fiscal confidence of others. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026 The second person who was trapped inside of the vehicle was declared dead at the scene by LAFD paramedics. Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for declare
Recent Examples of Synonyms for declare
Verb
  • Gracie Hunt, daughter of Kansas City Chiefs CEO and owner Clark Hunt and his wife, Tavia Hunt, announced her engagement on Holy Saturday with a Bible verse.
    Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Thousands of striking employees will return to work at the JBS meatpacking plant in Greeley next week after the company agreed to return to the negotiating table, union officials announced Saturday evening.
    Katie Langford, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Nowadays, the two positions blur together, but his father, Troy, and Harvard-Westlake coach David Rebibo insisted his aspirations were to be on the ball.
    Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Shaban, an hour into his testimony, insisted again to Doucette that he was never charged with a crime.
    Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Carolyn’s mother asserts that John was responsible for the crash.
    Jeff Wise, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2026
  • But now the deal has been paused amid legal challenges asserting that Nexstar-Tegna violates antitrust laws.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Investigators say that their preliminary findings revealed that the utility truck was turning left from the driveway of the Edison substation on Menifee Road when the collision occurred.
    Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
  • No date revealed yet for the Hunt-Green merger.
    Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 5 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Today, there's writing on the wall outside, proclaiming the miracle of Ho Khanh.
    Nicole Young, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Improving Americans’ nutrition is a major pillar of Kennedy’s loudly proclaimed MAHA agenda.
    Arthur Caplan, Hartford Courant, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The news comes after SpaceX and xAI—the company behind X and Grok—merged in February, a partnership which Musk claims could one day lead to data centres in Earth's orbit.
    Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 5 Apr. 2026
  • The younger daughter had arrived with foreknowledge of the role her older sister had already claimed.
    Catherine Lacey, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Witness after witness took to the stand and described interactions that seemed surprising for a man whose wife had just died - especially a man who professed to love her and claimed that the shooting was accidental.
    Lauren A. White, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Off the court, Ivey has professed his faith before, but his recent social media videos took on a stronger tone, leading to his dismissal from the Bulls.
    Matthew Davis, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • And, to honor the occasion, the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations (Mucem), in Marseille, decided to display a guillotine in full view.
    Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026
  • French cheeses displayed in a store in Paris.
    Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Declare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/declare. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on declare

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster