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

as in to announce

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to insist

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to assert

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Last month, San Francisco lawmakers unanimously declared the Latin Rock House a historic landmark, formally protecting the Spanish-style home from being painted over, altered or destroyed by future owners or developers without the city's permission. — Marissa J. Lang, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026 Notably, the lawsuit also asks that the repeal be declared unlawful. — Liam Reilly, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026 Moments before a winner was declared, Eckert concluded her reign with two accidental tumbles on stage, prompting a standing ovation from the crowd. — Morgan Evans, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 The best ramen in California is in downtown Sacramento, a popular food and dining blog declared this month. — Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for declare

Recent Examples of Synonyms for declare

Verb

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Monday announced a plan to sever the Islamic Republic's financial connections around the world.

— Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
The news comes after the movie theater announced its closure, leaving New Yorkers mourning at the loss.

— Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of announce

Verb

The secretary insisted he is focused on leading the War Department.

— Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 29 Aug. 2026
Alongside workers’ rights organization Arise Chicago and community organizing group Communities United, workers are now stepping forward to insist that the business give them their due — in full.

— Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of insist

Verb

Bates declared the platform the Principality of Sealand and asserted its sovereignty as a micronation distinct from Great Britain.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Aug. 2026
Rather than simply asserting that demand is durable, Kress argued that Nvidia’s growth is increasingly diversified beyond hyperscalers such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon and Meta.

— Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of assert

Verb

Historians say the horns may have been blown to scare evil spirits, to proclaim victories, or as a way to encourage divine mercy.

— Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026
The right of women to the ballot was formally made a part of the constitution of the United States today when Secretary of State Colby proclaimed ratification of the nineteenth amendment.

— AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of proclaim

Verb

The brand also claims that this sweeps away plaque rather than just blasting a hole through it, more effectively eradicating the sludgy bacteria.

— Jenny Bailly, Allure, 1 Sep. 2026
Center/guard Corey Bullock, who was beaten out by Andrew Vorhees for the team’s ninth offensive line spot, was claimed by the Carolina Panthers.

— Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of claim

Verb

There certainly may be a kernel of truth to Musk’s professed safety concerns, but plowing through bollards that are explitly designed to protect pedestrians from rogue drivers isn’t helping his case.

— Frank Landymore, Futurism, 19 Aug. 2026
In the probation report after the conviction, Brambles again professed his innocence.

— Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of profess

Verb

Aggregators and Suppliers Are Not the Same Thing A car rental aggregator is a platform that searches and displays inventory from multiple rental suppliers, allowing travelers to compare rates across dozens of providers at once.

— Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
Anyone displaying such pedestrian tastes would immediately be expelled from the room.

— David Denby, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of display

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declarations

declare

declared

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“Declare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/declare. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of declare

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