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

Derived Forms

• proclamation, noun
• proclamatory, adjective
• proˈclaimer, noun

Other Words From

• pro·claimer noun
• repro·claim verb (used with object)
• self-pro·claimed adjective
• self-pro·claiming adjective
• unpro·claimed 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

“Losers, look in the mirror,” Maher proclaimed in his monologue, drawing a deadpan crowd reaction.

From Salon

Then-City Councilman Gil Cedillo called it “the front yard and back yard of so many families” and proclaimed, “I am proud to reopen MacArthur Park Lakeside to make it clean, safe and secure.”

From Los Angeles Times

Around 5 p.m., he proclaimed a state of emergency in Ventura County to help mobilize resources to combat the fast-moving fire.

From Los Angeles Times

With counting nearly complete in an election that Democrats loudly proclaimed as a final showdown between democracy and fascism, Kamala Harris currently has just over 68 million votes.

From Salon

Sometime this week — one hopes — we will know which side can proclaim victory in 2024.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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