profess

[pruh-fes] / prəˈfɛs /

VERB

declare, assert

Synonyms

STRONGEST

acknowledge admit affirm avow confess feign pretend proclaim stump

STRONG

allege announce asseverate aver avouch certify claim confirm croon depose dissemble fake maintain own predicate purport sing spiel spout state vouch

WEAK

act as if blow hot air come out constate cross heart get off chest get on soapbox make out open up own up say so soapbox swear on bible swear up and down talk big

Antonyms

STRONGEST

conceal deny disavow disown dispute hide refuse renounce repudiate

STRONG

be quiet contradict invalidate question reject

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Even as they profess admiration for one another’s work, Ruth, Jay and Leigh sink into a bog of miscommunication and antagonism.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

“We profess to be the best in the world in this sport,” U.S. general manager Michael Hill said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026

Once lawfully allowed in with provisional humanitarian status, they found our church — where they could be baptized and publicly profess their faith in Jesus — and legal help to begin their asylum request.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 28, 2025

Although they profess to be in this screwy loyalty gauntlet for similar reasons, not everyone’s impetus is the same.

From Salon • Mar. 13, 2025

“To profess what?” asked the King of the Moat slowly, hardly opening his jaws and speaking through his nose.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White

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