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 Consider Isaiah 42, for example, in which God proclaims his promise of salvation and foretells the coming of the Messiah. Rev. Dr. Serene Jones, TIME, 17 Mar. 2025 The son is his father’s fiendish double, an antic, self-loathing imp who, loudly proclaiming his adoration of Eli-Leizer, makes a mockery of him. Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2025 The president has falsely proclaimed an invasion and predatory incursion to use a law written for wartime for peacetime immigration enforcement. Mark Davis, Newsweek, 16 Mar. 2025 For those who proclaim that everything needs to be made in America, this final journey likely symbolizes the end of a (perhaps) bygone era. Rick Helfenbein, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for proclaim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proclaim
Verb
  • Last week, President Trump, against the advice of almost every professional economist, announced substantial tariffs on almost every country in the world, thereby launching an economic war--a global trade war.
    Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Just last month, Krispy Kreme also announced another collection of limited-time treats as a part of its annual Chocomania celebrations.
    Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Darden declared a quarterly dividend of $1.40 per share.
    TipRanks.com Staff, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2025
  • South Africa, positioned in East Africa, is one of the world’s poorest and newest countries in the world, having declared independence in July 2011.
    Filip Timotija, The Hill, 6 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Shortly after the news published, Deadline reported that the core group of Huvane, Baum, Halls and Gelb have formed a new firm called Apex Public Relations.
    Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Source: National Interagency Fire Center This story was originally published April 9, 2025 at 9:34 AM.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 10 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Proclaim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proclaim. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on proclaim

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