Synonyms

declare

American

[dih-klair] / dɪˈklɛər /

verb (used with object)

to make known or state clearly, especially in explicit or formal terms.

to declare one's position in a controversy.
to announce officially; proclaim.

to declare a state of emergency; to declare a winner.
to state emphatically.

He declared that the allegation was a lie.

Synonyms:

state, asseverate, aver

Antonyms:

deny
to manifest; reveal; show.

Her attendance at the rally declared her political allegiance.

Synonyms:

publish, disclose
to make due statement of, especially goods for duty or income for taxation.
to make (a dividend) payable.
Bridge. to bid (a trump suit or no-trump).

verb (used without object)

to make a declaration.
to proclaim oneself (usually followed by for oragainst ).

He declared against the proposal.
Cricket. (of a team) to surrender a turn at bat in an innings before ten players are put out.

declare British

/ dɪˈklɛə /

verb

(may take a clause as object) to make clearly known or announce officially

to declare one's interests
war was declared
to state officially that (a person, fact, etc) is as specified

he declared him fit
(may take a clause as object) to state emphatically; assert
to show, reveal, or manifest

the heavens declare the glory of God
(intr; often foll by for or against) to make known one's choice or opinion
to make a complete statement of (dutiable goods, etc)
(also intr) cards
1. to display (a card or series of ards) on the table so as to add to one's score
2. to decide (the trump suit) by making the final bid
(intr) cricket to close an innings voluntarily before all ten wickets have fallen
to authorize the payment of (a dividend) from corporate net profit

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Synonym Usage

Declare, affirm, assert, protest imply making something known emphatically, openly, or formally. To declare is to make known, sometimes in the face of actual or potential contradiction: to declare someone the winner of a contest. To affirm is to make a statement based on one's reputation for knowledge or veracity, or so related to a generally recognized truth that denial is not likely: to affirm the necessity of high standards. To assert is to state boldly, usually without other proof than personal authority or conviction: to assert that the climate is changing. To protest is to affirm publicly, as if in the face of doubt: to protest that a newspaper account is misleading.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Participles

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of declare

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English declaren, from Latin dēclārāre “to announce, make evident, reveal,” from dē- de- + clārāre “to make clear” (from clārus clear )

Explanation

If you declare victory, you are ending a war by saying you have won. Hopefully, the other side agrees, or your troops might declare you a fool. To declare is to state clearly and officially. In elections, the government body that counts the votes declares the winner. Until the declaration is made, the results are not official. When you are traveling, you might be asked if you have anything to declare. You're not being asked for a statement of your beliefs, rather they want to know if you bought anything taxable abroad. If you hear your grandmother say, "Well, I declare!" you can be sure she is shocked and offended.

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

declare declares declared declaring

Some of the biggest impacts of the dry weather have been across the southern England where exceptionally low reservoir levels have prompted the Environment Agency to declare "severe drought" in some areas.

From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2026

Onchan has been the first constituency to declare elected candidates in the 2026 general election, followed closely by Douglas South.

From BBC ● Sep. 24, 2026

The private-equity firm is asking a judge to declare that Icahn and others illegally colluded to fight the $13 billion acquisition.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 22, 2026

Losses to agriculture, transport and insurance – with many other businesses and services closed – could lead Canada, Mexico and most Caribbean and Central American countries to declare states of emergency.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 22, 2026

When the Henry anchored in Salem Harbor, Nat went with Captain Prince to the Custom House to declare their cargo.

From "Carry On, Mr. Bowditch" by Jean Lee Latham

With yet another treatise on this topic having been published, Slate book critic Laura Miller declares that it’s time for the discourse to evolve.

From Slate ● Oct. 13, 2026

Another provision, the Privileges or Immunities Clause, declares that no state “shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026

“Light offshore wind. Clean, glassy barrels,” he declares softly to the camera as gray waves break behind him.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 14, 2026

If the jury does not reach a verdict and Judge Sullivan declares a mistrial, prosecutors would need to decide whether to retry the case.

From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2026

Smiling, arms crossed over his chest like a genie, Coach declares, “We’re ready for a meet.”

From "Black Brother, Black Brother" by Jewell Parker Rhodes

As the Dodgers’ postseason hype video declared before the game: “October doesn’t remember who came close. It remembers who triumphs.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026

Leiters declared Porsche would never make an electric 911 but said he was won over by an electric 718 Boxster sports car.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

As mayor, Burnham previously declared the dinners from Man City, valued at a combined total of £1,000 for hospitality.

From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026

"The right to protest is not a right to exercise violence," she declared on X.

From Barron's ● Oct. 15, 2026

“When it comes to the supernatural, Madame Ionesco is as reliable as they come. I realize that’s not saying much. But I think the old girl can pull it off,” Simon declared.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood

The government said supplies would not be interrupted but declaring severe drought would ensure "proactive steps are taken to safeguard water before any disruption occurs".

From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026

In the wake of the outrage, the county walked back its decision, declaring a moratorium on data centers.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 14, 2026

While accepting the honor, the comedian thanked his daughter, Jane, and grandson, Jackson, before referring to Ah as his “sublime companion” and declaring his love for her.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 13, 2026

Coca-Cola’s Powerade is playing off Novig’s campaign with ads declaring women’s sports are “never just sports.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2026

What I hoped was that at some point Barack himself would put an end to the speculation, declaring himself out of contention and directing the media gaze elsewhere.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023