proclaim

Synonym Chooser

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 Jews are immersed in the spirituality of the holiday and proclaim their faith in God to accept their repentance, forgive their sins and seal their fate for a year of life, health and happiness. Krys'tal Griffin, Freep.com, 2 Oct. 2025 Her early essays, written through a Marxian lens, proclaimed revolutionary socialism as justice’s true path. Shai Tubali, Big Think, 30 Sep. 2025 This call to action, this call to love, this call for empathy, acknowledging each other's humanity both intra-community and for those who proclaim allyship. Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Sep. 2025 After all, both Channel 4 and the Boston Police Department had proclaimed Karen Read guilty. Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 24 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for proclaim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proclaim
Verb
  • Blumhouse announced at CinemaCon 2024 that a sequel to Five Nights at Freddy’s was coming in 2025.
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2025
  • The new boat will meet boaters in the water to empty their waste holding tanks for free, the city announced Thursday.
    Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The annual total of measles cases in the US – now up to 1,563 cases since January – is the highest by a significant margin since measles was declared eliminated in America a quarter-century ago.
    Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025
  • The Cincinnati Fire Department declared the man dead at the scene, the release says.
    David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 12 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Oct. 2025
  • This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
    Ryan Mancini, The Hill, 11 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Proclaim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proclaim. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on proclaim

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