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 Political conservatives in the U.S. have promulgated conspiracy theories, unsupported by scientific evidence, that the shots and their relatively new technology are dangerous. Kff Health News, Orange County Register, 17 Mar. 2025 Both were targets of multiple executive orders promulgated over his first month. Varad Mehta, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Mar. 2025 Short seller Andrew Left, who was targeted by Biden's Securities and Exchange Commission, has jumped on the change of administration to file a formal petition with the agency, asking it to promulgate clear new rules that would effectively allow everything he's been charged with doing. Felix Salmon, Axios, 30 Jan. 2025 Agencies can, and do, promulgate regulations, which have the force of law. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 17 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for promulgate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for promulgate
Verb
  • But all of these datacenters are vulnerable to Chinese espionage, according to a report published Tuesday.
    Billy Perrigo, Time, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Image Israel’s security chief accused Netanyahu of impropriety Ronen Bar, the chief of Israel’s domestic security agency, said in an affidavit published yesterday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had repeatedly pressed him to spy on Israelis who had led and funded anti-government protests.
    Justin Porter, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • One of North Crowley’s best defenders announced his next step.
    Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Apr. 2025
  • This month, the United Nations World Food Program announced that the Trump administration was terminating emergency food assistance for 14 fragile countries around the world.
    Declan Walsh, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • There are a couple of reasons why proclaiming the Good News from the Department of State’s website isn’t such good news.
    Chloe Breyer, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Cena proclaimed to a crowd at the March 24 episode of WWE Raw.
    Obed Manuel, NPR, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • To the surprise of nobody, Obiang declared his son, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, the new vice-president in 2016.
    The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Country sandals Glamour has declared this genre of leather footwear—strappy, Western-inspired, and usually outfitted with metal hardware—country sandals.
    Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The commodity was found to be defective, perhaps falsely advertised, but not eligible for return.
    Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025
  • WrestleMania Sunday also advertised Bianca Belair, Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky in a Triple Threat for the Women’s World Championship, a Fatal 4-Way for the WWE Intercontinental Championship and Logan Paul vs. AJ Styles.
    Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Promulgate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/promulgate. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

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