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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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 In Alabama, a state of emergency was proclaimed for 39 counties. —

Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, 21 Jan. 2025 Remember in February 2018, two months before the Ravens drafted the former Louisville star with the last pick of the first round when Hall of Fame general manager Bill Polian proclaimed on ESPN that Jackson should switch to wide receiver? —

Michael Silver, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025 Hisense isn’t the only brand proclaiming innovative RGB technology. —

Ryan Waniata, WIRED, 19 Jan. 2025 Adored and abhorred in equal measure, the movie became a cult favorite, playing at midnight screenings in art houses across the country; no less a figure than Stanley Kubrick proclaimed it one of his favorite films. —

Stephen Galloway, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for proclaim

Recent Examples of Synonyms for proclaim

Verb

The shelter announced in a Jan. 17 Instagram video that the tortoise reunited with his family after his stay there.

— Rachel Raposas, People.com, 24 Jan. 2025
Trump had announced the investment will create a new company, called Stargate, to grow artificial intelligence infrastructure in the United States.

— Donald Judd, CNN, 24 Jan. 2025