PROCLAIM Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of proclaim are announce , declare , and promulgate . While all these words mean "to make known publicly," proclaim implies declaring clearly, forcefully, and authoritatively. // the president proclaimed a national day of mourning

Q: When could 'announce' be used to replace 'proclaim'?

The words announce and proclaim are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, announce implies the declaration of something for the first time. // announced their engagement at a party

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

Although the words declare and proclaim have much in common, declare implies explicitness and usually formality in making known. // the referee declared the contest a draw

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

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

proclaim

verb

prō-ˈklām

Definition of proclaim next

as in to announce

to make known openly or publicly loudly proclaimed her innocence, to widespread disbelief

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How does the verb proclaim differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of proclaim are announce, declare, and promulgate. While all these words mean "to make known publicly," proclaim implies declaring clearly, forcefully, and authoritatively.

the president proclaimed a national day of mourning

When could announce be used to replace proclaim?

The words announce and proclaim are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, announce implies the declaration of something for the first time.

announced their engagement at a party

When might declare be a better fit than proclaim?

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

the referee declared the contest a draw

In what contexts can promulgate take the place of proclaim?

The words promulgate and proclaim 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 proclaim Second-year guard Saniya Rivers, who proclaimed herself head coach Rachid Meziane‘s favorite, even convinced the French head coach to perform the viral scuba dance with her. —

Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2026 In a ceremony at Victory Ford in Kansas City, Kansas, less than two miles from the speedway, Thursday was proclaimed Dystany Spurlock Day in Kansas City by KCMO Mayor Quinton Lucas and the Kansas House of Representatives. —

Pj Green april 17, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2026 In 2021, Peru’s electoral tribunal proclaimed first-round results 37 days after the April 11 vote. —

Franklin Briceño, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026 He was proclaimed King Frederik X following the abdication of his mother, Queen Margrethe II. —

ABC News, 12 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for proclaim

Recent Examples of Synonyms for proclaim

Verb

Perhaps the most compelling moment of the 2026 NFL Draft came in the final round, when the Pittsburgh Steelers selected running back Eli Heidenreich and the pick was announced to the hometown crowd gathered at the event.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2026
When the Dodgers public address announcer read the Cubs starting lineup, Dodgers fans vehemently booed Crow-Armstrong, a trend that continued before each at-bat and again Saturday when he was announced pregame.

— Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026

Definition of announce

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“Proclaim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proclaim. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

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