PROCLAIM Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

proclaim

verb

prō-ˈklām

Definition of proclaim next

as in to announce

to make known openly or publicly loudly proclaimed her innocence, to widespread disbelief

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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

Examples 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 Newsom also proclaimed a state of emergency in response to the Palisades fire. —

Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025 Earlier this evening, Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency that removes barriers to lateral help from local governments and empowers him to deploy National Guard troops as needed. —

Raquel Coronell Uribe, NBC News, 8 Jan. 2025 The man, who later died in a firefight with police, was an American citizen from Texas who posted several videos onto Facebook in the hours before the attack proclaiming his support for the Islamic State militant group. —

Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 3 Jan. 2025 One photo showed the couple holing mugs proclaiming the best parents ever, and the last slide needed an explanation. —

Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 3 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for proclaim

Recent Examples of Synonyms for proclaim

Verb

Meanwhile, the equivalent of three full-time fire department positions — likely non-firefighter staff members — are slated to be among 91 or so layoffs expected to soon be announced.

Shomik Mukherjee, The Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2025
The changes announced Saturday didn't apply to UCLA Health or health care staff, Frenk said.

Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2025