PROMULGATE Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

promulgate

verb

ˈprä-məl-ˌgāt

Definition of promulgate

as in to publish

to make known openly or publicly the encyclical that promulgated the church's position on artificial birth control

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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 Section 112 requires the CFTC and SEC to promulgate all rules within 360 days of enactment. — Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026 China’s Ministry of Commerce promulgated the Rules on Counteracting Unjustified Extra-Territorial Application of Foreign Legislation on January 9, 2021. — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 4 May 2026 His government promulgated a new constitution after just nine days of debate in the National Assembly. — Kapil Komireddi, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2026 But every rule was promulgated under the threat of litigation and the teeth of the regulation relied on a law that was designed with a completely different purpose in mind. — Justin Worland, Time, 13 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for promulgate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for promulgate

Verb

For businesses and marketers LinkedIn’s experiment is a valuable reminder to avoid publishing AI saturated content.

— Gene Marks, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
The ⁠message was published on Khamenei’s Telegram account for Islamic Unity Week, which marks the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad.

— Reuters, NBC news, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of publish

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

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

Officers began lifesaving aid until EMS arrived to take the victim to a hospital, where he was later declared deceased, police shared.

— Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 30 Aug. 2026
The land forces of Germany, France, and Britain had been facing one another since war was declared on September 1, 1939, until the standoff became something of a grim joke.

— David Szondy August 30, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of declare

Verb

Virtue Asia will present Why Brands Need Entertainment, Not More Content, exploring how brands can move from advertising around culture to actively creating the stories and characters audiences choose to follow.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026
And although Engwe advertises a 55-mile maximum range, that figure assumes ideal conditions.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of advertise

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

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Synonyms of promulgate

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