proclaim

Definition of proclaimnext

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 Iglesias proclaimed as the crowd cheered. Deputy Entertainment, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026 The United States kicked out the Spanish, occupied Cuba and proclaimed its desire to turn Cuba into an independent, sovereign nation-state. Joseph J. Gonzalez, The Conversation, 23 Mar. 2026 Making it the perfect day for lovebirds to proclaim their love and get engaged. Julia Gomez, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026 In 2021, Kennedy had written in a book that measles — a virus the CDC says kills nearly 1 to 3 of every 1,000 children who contract it — wasn’t the menace that the government proclaimed. Patricia Callahan, ProPublica, 19 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for proclaim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proclaim
Verb
  • On Saturday afternoon, CPAC announced the results of a straw poll of attendees.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Mar. 2026
  • The Raiders’ valuation has soared to nearly eight billion dollars, largely owing to high stadium revenues; earlier this year, Clark County, home to Las Vegas, announced school-budget cuts.
    Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Paris Barraza Police have declared an unlawful assembly near the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles, urging people to avoid the area, according to a public safety alert issued Saturday evening.
    Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2026
  • When Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu posted videos to rebut viral claims of his death, Grok declared the footage fake — swiftly debunked, yet already spread.
    Hollie McKay, Deadline, 29 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • See hummingbird migration map Hummingbird Central tracks hummingbirds across the country and has published an interactive hummingbird migration map for 2026.
    James Powel, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Her writing has also been published in Forbes Advisor, CNN Underscored, USA Today Blueprint, Slickdeals Money, and Newsweek.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Proclaim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proclaim. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.

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