Synonyms of promulgate

promulgate

verb

ˈprä-məl-ˌgāt 

as in to publish

to make known openly or publicly

the encyclical that promulgated the church's position on artificial birth control

Synonyms & Similar Words

• publish
• announce
• proclaim
• declare
• advertise
• post
• publicize
• disclose
• promote
• broadcast
• disseminate
• enunciate
• run with
• herald
• release
• annunciate
• sound
• give out
• reveal
• spread
• blare
• beat the drum (for or about)
• introduce
• blaze
• flash
• trumpet
• report
• placard
• blazon
• call (off or out)
• bulletin
• impart
• inform
• show
• notify
• bark
• cry
• manifest
• divulge
• communicate
• feature
• toll
• ring
• apprise
• bill
• gazette
• knell
• plug
• billboard
• puff
• advise
• blurb
• hand down
• intimate
• kithe
• pitch

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• conceal
• suppress
• withhold
• silence
• recall
• revoke
• hush (up)
• retract
• recant

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb promulgate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of promulgate are announce, declare, and proclaim. While all these words mean "to make known publicly," promulgate implies the proclaiming of a dogma, doctrine, or law.

promulgated an edict of religious toleration

When is it sensible to use announce instead of promulgate?

In some situations, the words announce and promulgate are roughly equivalent. However, announce implies the declaration of something for the first time.

announced their engagement at a party

In what contexts can declare take the place of promulgate?

Although the words declare and promulgate have much in common, declare implies explicitness and usually formality in making known.

the referee declared the contest a draw

When can proclaim be used instead of promulgate?

The meanings of proclaim and promulgate largely overlap; however, proclaim implies declaring clearly, forcefully, and authoritatively.

the president proclaimed a national day of mourning

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of promulgate

His government promulgated a new constitution after just nine days of debate in the National Assembly. —Kapil Komireddi, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2026

The colonial government promulgated a land-survey ordinance that forced landowners to report the size and area of their land. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Mar. 2026

But every rule was promulgated under the threat of litigation and the teeth of the regulation relied on a law that was designed with a completely different purpose in mind. —Justin Worland, Time, 13 Feb. 2026

These models’ political biases could undermine educators’ ability to promulgate their school’s values. —Jonah Davids, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!