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

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 promulgate Contrast that with the current perception of American college campuses (and, to an extent, campuses across the wider world) constantly portrayed as rancorous battlegrounds in the culture wars, where dissenting ideas are often collateral damage, as are those promulgating them. Shaun Carver, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024 Wild's heyday express remorse for their part in promulgating the Francis method of infiltrating spring break towns and exploiting young, drunk women in the docuseries. Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 3 Dec. 2024 Before any law is signed or regulation is promulgated, businesses will respond to those signals. Justin Worland, TIME, 13 Sep. 2024 Complex rules get promulgated, but the firms impacted by them are often in the dark (yet liable for any non-compliance). William Dunkelberg, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for promulgate 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for promulgate
Verb
  • This story was originally published April 14, 2024 at 12:00 AM.
    Mará Rose Williams, Kansas City Star, 28 Jan. 2025
  • This story was originally published January 28, 2025 at 1:55 PM.
    Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 28 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Additional performers will be announced in the coming days.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Georgia wildlife officials announced Thursday that the state has confirmed its first case of Chronic Wasting Disease.
    Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Is that crippling ordinance in the best interests of the residents? Burr Ridge was the first municipality to be sent migrants from Chicago after Gov. JB Pritzker proclaimed Illinois a sanctuary state that included migrant welcoming — but with no plan to deal with them.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 25 Jan. 2025
  • With the war over, President Harry Truman proclaimed that an underwater area of some 750,000 square miles—about 4.5 Californias—now belonged to America.
    Jack Truesdale, The Atlantic, 25 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Killer cartels — now declared foreign terrorist organizations under Trump — have earned mind-boggling profits by moving record amounts of drugs and people across the porous southern border.
    Sharyl Attkisson, Baltimore Sun, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Trump has issued executive orders to limit birthright citizenship, declaring a national emergency at the southwest border, and instructing border agents to summarily deport asylum-seeking migrants without granting them a hearing.
    Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Last fall, when the remnants of a hurricane devastated part of North Carolina, nonprofits including Samaritan’s Purse, Americares and Convoy of Hope all advertised on Google search, trying to collect donations to help those affected by the storms.
    Nico Grant, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025
  • The first issue has just three advertisers, none of whom had previously advertised in print: Patou, Diptyque and Frédéric Malle. Leguay thinks luxury brands must pivot from their elevation strategy and pay closer attention to Gen Z and Gen Alpha.
    Joelle Diderich, WWD, 21 Jan. 2025

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Thesaurus Entries Near promulgate

Cite this Entry

“Promulgate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/promulgate. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on promulgate

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