proclaim

[proh-kleym, pruh-]

verb (used with object)

1. to announce or declare in an official or formal manner.

   to proclaim war.

   Synonyms: advertise

2. to announce or declare in an open or ostentatious way.

   to proclaim one's opinions.

   Synonyms: promulgate

3. to indicate or make known publicly or openly.

4. to extol or praise publicly.

   Let them proclaim the Lord.

5. to declare (a territory, district, etc.) subject to particular legal restrictions.

6. to declare to be an outlaw, evildoer, or the like.

7. to denounce or prohibit publicly.

verb (used without object)

1. to make a proclamation.

proclaim

/ prəˈklæmətərɪ, -trɪ, ˌprɒkləˈmeɪʃən, prəˈkleɪm /

verb

1. (may take a clause as object) to announce publicly

2. (may take a clause as object) to show or indicate plainly

3. to praise or extol

Other Word Forms

• proclaimer noun
• reproclaim verb (used with object)
• self-proclaimed adjective
• self-proclaiming adjective
• unproclaimed adjective
• proclamation noun
• proclamatory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of proclaim¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin prōclāmāre “to cry out”; equivalent to pro- ¹ + claim

Word History and Origins

Origin of proclaim¹

C14: from Latin prōclāmāre to shout aloud

Synonym Study

See announce.

Example Sentences

There, Smith proclaims herself general of the neighborhood’s Buddy Gang, fearlessly fending off bullies twice her size, while at school, she was viewed as odd by her teachers, “like something out of Hans Christian Andersen.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In a 2021 update, the conference highlighted several principles for proclaiming the Gospel “in the midst of a complex and powerful economy.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

One day the administration is full force America First isolationism, and the next finds it blowing up boats full of civilians in international waters, with the president proclaiming “to the victors go the spoils.”

Read more on Salon

He was pumping iron and clad in a tight black T-shirt that boldly proclaimed, “F— the Politicians. Terminate Gerrymandering.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

A golden golf ball for the man proclaiming to have ushered in a “golden age.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• affirm 
• announce 
• declare 
• demonstrate 
• indicate 
• profess 
• publish 
• trumpet