declare
Americanverb (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.
-
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.
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
-
to display (a card or series of ards) on the table so as to add to one's score
-
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
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
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.
Vocabulary lists containing declare
"The Crucible" -- Vocabulary from all 4 Acts
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Twelve Angry Men
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"The Crucible" -- Vocabulary from Act 4
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Technically, local election officials have 30 days to process and certify all ballots, though it rarely takes that entire time to declare a winner.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 2, 2026
It’s too early to declare winners and losers in the physical AI space, and the entire industry, Tesla included, needs the supply chain to develop.
From Barron's • Jun. 1, 2026
They swept to victory last June, after the disgraced former president, Yoon Suk Yeol, was impeached for a bizarre six-hour attempt to declare martial law.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 2026
Minister Hossain dismissed calls for Bangladesh to declare an emergency, saying district level hospitals are "ready" and are helping to supply ICUs in more remote areas.
From BBC • May 27, 2026
He was smoothing the note on his palm, when a young very dark-skinned customs officer asked, “Anything to declare, sir?”
From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
