proclaim
gb/pɹoʊklˈeɪm/ us/pɹoʊklˈeɪm/
B2
English
~ 7400
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B2
action
1
announce something formally or publicly
to say something in an official and public way, such as a new law, holiday, or decision
Usage pattern:
to proclaim [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "proclaim" for casual news (e.g., *"He proclaimed he was hungry"*), where native speakers would simply say "said" or "announced". "Proclaim" is usually used for serious, official, or very important statements, especially by authorities or governments.
Synonyms
declare (Very close in meaning; slightly more common and neutral in both official and everyday use.)
|
announce (Less formal and less strong; used for any kind of news, not only official decisions.)
Antonyms
revoke (Cancels an official decision or law that has been proclaimed.)
Collocations
proclaim independence
|proclaim a republic
|proclaim a state of emergency
|proclaim a holiday
|proclaim victory
|proclaim a new law
Themes
communication
|politics
|law
|media
Examples
- The government will proclaim a state of emergency if the violence continues.
- In 1776, the colonies proclaimed their independence from Britain.
- The mayor proclaimed Friday a city-wide holiday.
- The new constitution was formally proclaimed last week.
- The president stood on the balcony to proclaim the start of the new republic.
Learner examples
- The king proclaimed a new law.
- They proclaimed the country free and independent.
- The city proclaimed today a special holiday.
Verb
formal
B2
action
2
state a belief or feeling loudly
to say something very strongly and in public, especially about what you feel, believe, or say is true
Usage pattern:
to proclaim [something]; to proclaim [one's] [belief/innocence/love]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "proclaim" where simple verbs like "say" or "tell" are better. "Proclaim" sounds strong, formal, and often public, so it can seem too dramatic in normal conversation. Also, do not say *"proclaim about"*; you proclaim something (e.g., "He proclaimed his innocence"), without "about".
Synonyms
declare (Very close meaning; slightly more common and can be a little less emotional than "proclaim".)
|
assert (Focuses more on stating something confidently, often in argument, and can sound less public or dramatic than "proclaim".)
Antonyms
deny (Instead of openly and strongly saying something is true, you say it is not true.)
Collocations
proclaim innocence
|proclaim love
|proclaim faith
|proclaim support
|proclaim oneself [king/leader/expert]
|proclaim loyalty
Themes
communication
|emotions
|beliefs
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She loudly proclaimed her innocence to the waiting reporters.
- He proudly proclaimed his love for her in front of the whole crowd.
- The activists proclaimed their support for the new climate agreement.
- They proclaimed themselves the rightful leaders of the movement.
- The priest proclaimed his faith even in the face of danger.
Learner examples
- He proclaimed that he was not guilty.
- She proclaimed her love for her family.
- They proclaimed their support for the new plan.
Verb
literary
C1
action
3
show or indicate something clearly
to clearly show a fact or feeling, so that other people can see or guess it
Usage pattern:
[something] proclaims [something]
Common mistake:
This sense is quite literary, so learners may overuse it in simple descriptions where "show" or "reveal" are more natural. Also, remember that the subject is usually the thing that gives the sign (e.g., "His face proclaimed his joy"), not the person who has the feeling.
Synonyms
reveal (General and more common; does not carry the slightly formal or dramatic tone of "proclaim".)
Antonyms
conceal (Means to hide or prevent something from being seen, the opposite of clearly showing it.)
Collocations
proclaim his joy
|proclaim her guilt
|proclaim their identity
|features that proclaim [its] history
|an accent that proclaims [someone] [a local/foreigner]
Themes
description
|perception
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- His broad smile proclaimed his relief.
- The worn steps and faded signs proclaimed the building’s age.
- Her nervous movements proclaimed her lack of confidence.
- The accent in his voice proclaimed him a foreigner.
- Their matching jerseys proclaimed them fans of the same team.
Learner examples
- His happy face proclaimed his joy.
- The old walls proclaimed the age of the house.
- Her shaking hands proclaimed that she was afraid.
Grammar
Dictionary form
proclaim
IPA
GB/pɹoʊklˈeɪm/
US/pɹoʊklˈeɪm/
Syllables & stress
pro - claim (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (claim)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: proclaim
- 3rd Person Singular: proclaims
- Present Participle: proclaiming
- Past: proclaimed
Word family
Forms
proclaims
verb
proclaiming
verb
proclaimed
verb
Core family
proclamation
noun B2
Advanced or less common
proclamatory
adjective
Expressions
proclaim independence
1/pɹoʊklˈeɪm ˌɪndɪpˈɛndəns/
fixed phrase
formally declare a place independent
to officially say that a country or region is now free and rules itself
Examples
- The region proclaimed independence after years of civil war.
- Several leaders gathered to proclaim independence from the former empire.
proclaim someone king
1/pɹoʊklˈeɪm sˈʌmwˌʌn kˈɪŋ/
fixed phrase
officially declare someone king
to say in an official way that a person is now king
Examples
- The council proclaimed him king after his father’s death.
- Crowds filled the streets as they proclaimed her queen and ruler of the land.
proclaim the gospel
1/pɹoʊklˈeɪm ðə ɡˈɔspəl/
fixed phrase
technical
publicly preach the Christian message
to speak in public about the Christian message or good news, usually as a religious duty
Examples
- Missionaries traveled to remote villages to proclaim the gospel.
- He felt called to proclaim the gospel in his own community.