declare

[ dih-klair ]

verb (used with object)

, de·clared, de·clar·ing.

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

   to declare one's position in a controversy.

2. to announce officially; proclaim:

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

3. to state emphatically:

   He declared that the allegation was a lie.

   Synonyms: state, asseverate, aver

   Antonyms: deny

4. to manifest; reveal; show:

   Her attendance at the rally declared her political allegiance.

   Synonyms: publish, disclose

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

verb (used without object)

, de·clared, de·clar·ing.

1. to make a declaration.
2. to proclaim oneself (usually followed by for or against ):

   He declared against the proposal.

3. Cricket. (of a team) to surrender a turn at bat in an innings before ten players are put out.

declare

/ dɪˈklɛə /

verb

1. may take a clause as object to make clearly known or announce officially

   to declare one's interests

   war was declared

2. to state officially that (a person, fact, etc) is as specified

   he declared him fit

3. may take a clause as object to state emphatically; assert
4. to show, reveal, or manifest

   the heavens declare the glory of God

5. intr; often foll by for or against to make known one's choice or opinion
6. to make a complete statement of (dutiable goods, etc)
7. 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
8. intr cricket to close an innings voluntarily before all ten wickets have fallen
9. to authorize the payment of (a dividend) from corporate net profit

Derived Forms

• deˈclarable, adjective

Other Words From

• de·clara·ble adjective
• misde·clare verb misdeclared misdeclaring
• prede·clare verb (used with object) predeclared predeclaring
• rede·clare verb (used with object) redeclared redeclaring
• unde·clara·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of declare¹

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 )

Word History and Origins

Origin of declare¹

C14: from Latin dēclārāre to make clear, from clārus bright, clear

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

"The Democrats are trying to stack the Courts with Radical Left Judges on their way out the door," Trump declared.

From Salon

It’s usually silly to declare races over this early, but this seems like a safe bet.

From Los Angeles Times

Proposition 32 was declared defeated after falling just short, with 49.2% voting “yes.”

From Los Angeles Times

Tuesday’s vote marks another chapter in City Hall’s uneven efforts to declare itself a sanctuary city.

From Los Angeles Times

When we speak, it’s just hours after former President Trump is declared the winner of the 2024 election, and Beauvais is audibly shaken by the news.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• acknowledge
• advocate
• affirm
• announce
• argue
• assert
• claim
• confirm
• disclose
• inform
• insist
• maintain
• proclaim
• reaffirm
• repeat
• reveal
• stress
• tell