Synonym Chooser

How does the verb promulgate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of promulgate are announce, declare, and proclaim. While all these words mean "to make known publicly," promulgate implies the proclaiming of a dogma, doctrine, or law.

promulgated an edict of religious toleration

When is it sensible to use announce instead of promulgate?

In some situations, the words announce and promulgate are roughly equivalent. However, announce implies the declaration of something for the first time.

announced their engagement at a party

In what contexts can declare take the place of promulgate?

Although the words declare and promulgate have much in common, declare implies explicitness and usually formality in making known.

the referee declared the contest a draw

When can proclaim be used instead of promulgate?

The meanings of proclaim and promulgate largely overlap; however, proclaim implies declaring clearly, forcefully, and authoritatively.

the president proclaimed a national day of mourning

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of promulgate That case, Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, basically ended the ability of agencies like the EPA to promulgate rules Congress has not specifically authorized. Jan Ellen Spiegel, Hartford Courant, 28 Mar. 2025 Other tariffs are being promulgated within the administration, including those on products like copper, lumber, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductors. Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025 Political conservatives in the U.S. have promulgated conspiracy theories, unsupported by scientific evidence, that the shots and their relatively new technology are dangerous. Kff Health News, Orange County Register, 17 Mar. 2025 Both were targets of multiple executive orders promulgated over his first month. Varad Mehta, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for promulgate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for promulgate
Verb
  • This is how Bob Iger ended up with The Ride of a Lifetime and Mark Burnett published Jump In!
    Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 28 May 2025
  • This story was originally published May 28, 2025 at 2:29 PM.
    Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • The new parents announced their son’s arrival a few days after his birth, sharing a joint Instagram post with a photo of the newborn sleeping next to a wooden sign.
    Jacqueline Weiss, People.com, 6 June 2025
  • His final match as a professional footballer — Morton announced his sacking on September 19 — ended in a 1-0 defeat.
    Stuart James, New York Times, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • Earlier this month, the president proclaimed on Truth Social that the U.S. will designate new holidays to commemorate the end of World War I and World War II in Europe.
    Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 26 May 2025
  • In 2021 and 2022, Cuccinelli, with Vought’s help, mounted press conferences and privately urged Gov. Doug Ducey of Arizona and Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas to proclaim that their states were being invaded.
    Molly Redden, ProPublica, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • With support from some lawmakers including Crenshaw, Trump has also declared Mexican cartels terrorist organizations -- and some have suggested Washington should send the U.S. military to kill cartel leaders on their own turf.
    Josh Meyer, USA Today, 5 June 2025
  • The town of Pryluky, where the firefighter’s family and two other people were killed overnight, declared two days of mourning on Thursday and Friday, ordering flags to be flown half-mast and black banners displayed on public buildings.
    Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
Verb
  • Just a short drive from Reykjavik, the Golden Circle is advertised as an ideal route for first-time visitors or anyone short on time.
    David Nikel, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
  • Available drugs were advertised on these apps in stories that disappeared within 24 hours and in posts that were removed after a certain amount of time, according to the federal agency.
    Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Promulgate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/promulgate. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on promulgate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!