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

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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

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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 In Malawi, officials were overjoyed, filling a local town hall and declaring victory. — Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026 Until that unused reservation is released, an empty parking space can coexist with a government website declaring the park unavailable. — Jeffrey T. Donner, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2026 Grim Connecticut legislators declared that this would never happen again. — Elona Vaisnys, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2026 The two people were eventually recovered but declared dead at the scene. — Jose Fabian, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for declare

Recent Examples of Synonyms for declare

Verb

Still, some of the restrictions announced by the White House are expected to face legal challenges.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
After a discussion, the umpires announced that Schultz would have to exit because of the second mound visit of the inning.

— LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of announce

Verb

In honor of the upcoming movie, the All Roads Lead to Camp bus is touring across the country and bringing fans, new and old, into the world of Camp Rock, PEOPLE previously revealed exclusively.

— Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026
Across Europe, other historic objects have also been revealed this summer due to the record-breaking heat and crippling droughts hitting the continent’s waterways.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of reveal

Verb

Her son Spencer, 5, could be heard proclaiming his hunger in the back of the video and is seen grabbing a few slices of Parmesan cheese prepped for the salad.

— Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026
Yes, the Jaguars were among the majority of NFL teams that proudly proclaimed their support for the LGBTQ movement on June 1.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of proclaim

Verb

In a post on X, Sánchez also claimed that Italy has allowed in twice the number of migrants as Spain since 2021, with Spain receiving 234,000 to Italy’s 478,000.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
By producing pure, highly concentrated molecules that mimic the skin’s natural functions, Lewisham claims her products are more consistent, precise and sustainable.

— Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of claim

Verb

Bruce, 76, professed his love for Patti, 72, at the June 6 dedication of the new Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music on the campus of Monmouth University in Long Branch.

— Chris Jordan, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026
By invoking it, witnesses are not acknowledging any criminal liability at all, and many people who profess their absolute innocence choose to exercise their right to remain silent.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 July 2026

Definition of profess

Verb

Renovated in 2005 at a cost of $8 million, the intimate 17-room hotel displays the trappings of Europe’s grandest hotels, starting with an impressive foyer with a Murano glass chandelier shaped like Constantin Brancusi’s infinity column.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
In this photo illustration, the logo of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) is displayed on a smartphone in front of abstract background on computer screen.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of display

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declarations

declare

declared

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Style

“Declare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/declare. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of declare

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