pronounce
verb
pro·nounce prə-ˈnau̇n(t)s 
pronounced; pronouncing
transitive verb
1
: to declare officially or ceremoniously
the minister pronounced them husband and wife
2
: to declare authoritatively or as an opinion
doctors pronounced him fit to resume duties
3
a
: to employ the organs of speech to produce
pronounce these words
especially : to say correctly
I can't pronounce his name
b
: to represent in printed characters the spoken counterpart of (an orthographic representation)
both dictionaries pronounce clique the same
4
: recite
speak the speech, I pray you, as I pronounced it to you
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeareintransitive verb
1
: to pass judgment
2
: to produce the components of spoken language
pronounceability
prə-ˌnau̇n(t)-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē
noun pronounceable
prə-ˈnau̇n(t)-sə-bəl
adjective pronouncer noun
Example Sentences
She practices pronouncing foreign words. I'm sorry. I can't pronounce your name. The priest pronounced a blessing on their home. The doctors pronounced him fit to go back to work. He was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. Many senators are pronouncing in favor of the bill. The judge pronounced for the defendant. See More
Recent Examples on the Web There’s even some confusion over how to pronounce his last name. Andrew Perez, ProPublica, 22 Aug. 2022 All eyes are on Arizona Democrat Kyrsten Sinema, who has yet to pronounce on the bill and has in the past ruled out certain tax hikes. Kimberley A. Strassel, WSJ, 28 July 2022 And the young man on the phone spoke incredibly slowly and could not seem to pronounce his words clearly. Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 27 July 2022 Muck & Fuss Terry and Celina Muckenfuss opened Muck & Fuss in 2018, tweaking their last name to create something easier to pronounce but harder to forget. Mike Sutter, San Antonio Express-News, 15 June 2022 There would be a back and forth between the two lawyers, and then the judge would pronounce a sentence. New York Times, 7 June 2022 Having the courtesy and decency to pronounce someone’s name correctly. Palak Jayswal, The Salt Lake Tribune, 29 May 2022 The legitimacy of the Supreme Court’s vital constitutional duty to pronounce authoritatively what the law is in cases where it is called to do so hinges on the integrity of its process. The Editors, National Review, 3 May 2022 Circuit Judge Scott Suskauer didn’t formally pronounce a sentence for Jerich. Jane Musgrave, USA TODAY, 26 Apr. 2022 See More
Andrew Perez, ProPublica, 22 Aug. 2022 All eyes are on Arizona Democrat Kyrsten Sinema, who has yet to pronounce on the bill and has in the past ruled out certain tax hikes. Kimberley A. Strassel, WSJ, 28 July 2022 And the young man on the phone spoke incredibly slowly and could not seem to pronounce his words clearly. Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 27 July 2022 Muck & Fuss Terry and Celina Muckenfuss opened Muck & Fuss in 2018, tweaking their last name to create something easier to pronounce but harder to forget. Mike Sutter, San Antonio Express-News, 15 June 2022 There would be a back and forth between the two lawyers, and then the judge would pronounce a sentence. New York Times, 7 June 2022 Having the courtesy and decency to pronounce someone’s name correctly. Palak Jayswal, The Salt Lake Tribune, 29 May 2022 The legitimacy of the Supreme Court’s vital constitutional duty to pronounce authoritatively what the law is in cases where it is called to do so hinges on the integrity of its process. The Editors, National Review, 3 May 2022 Circuit Judge Scott Suskauer didn’t formally pronounce a sentence for Jerich. Jane Musgrave, USA TODAY, 26 Apr. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French pronuncier, from Latin pronuntiare, from pro- forth + nuntiare to report, from nuntius messenger — more at pro-
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Phrases Containing pronounce
Kids Definition
pronounce
verb
pro·nounce prə-ˈnau̇ns
pronounced; pronouncing
1
: to use the voice to make the sounds of
He practiced pronouncing Spanish words.
2
: to say correctly
I can't pronounce your name.
3
: to state in an official or solemn way
The judge pronounced sentence.
pronounces
verb
1
as in says
to correctly produce the sound of (a word or letter) with one's voice How do you pronounce your last name? We practiced pronouncing our Spanish vocabulary words . Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- says
- speaks
- expresses
- articulates
- utters
- voices
- tells
- enunciates
- verbalizes
- talks
- vocalizes
- speaks out
- speaks up
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- hesitates
- halts
- stammers
- falters
- stutters
- sputters
- stumbles
- mumbles
- mutters
- whispers
- grunts
- mouths
- murmurs
- breathes
- splutters
- drawls
- gasps
- maunders
2
as in recites
to say or announce (something) in an official or formal way The priest pronounced the blessing. Emotions ran high in the courtroom as the judge pronounced sentence. Synonyms & Similar Words
- recites
- utters
- gives
- announces
- proclaims
- delivers
- declares
- states
- determines
- voices
- adjudges
- resolves
- advertises
- publishes
- administers
- adjudicates
- decides
- enacts
- ordains
- sounds
- publicizes
- dictates
- sets forth
- arbitrates
- directs
- decrees
- legislates
- judges
- passes
- reenacts
- orders
- constitutes
- approves
- mandates
- settles
- reels off
- broadcasts
- referees
- confirms
- rules (on)
- umpires
- executes
- commands
- authorizes
- makes
- ratifies
- calls
- effects
- brings about
- lays down
- permits
- sanctions
- repasses
- allows
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- conceals
- withholds
- recalls
- suppresses
- revokes
- silences
- cancels
- retracts
- revokes
- rescinds
- repeals
- abolishes
- reverses
- recants
- invalidates
- rescinds
- nullifies
- kills
- abrogates
- annuls
- countermands
- overturns
- hushes (up)
- voids
3
as in proclaims
to say officially or assertively that (something or someone) is something specified They pronounced the mission a success. She pronounced them married. Synonyms & Similar Words
- proclaims
- declares
- insists
- announces
- affirms
- asserts
- advertises
- claims
- avows
- sounds
- alleges
- publishes
- professes
- enunciates
- contends
- avers
- purports
- promulgates
- publicizes
- blares
- shows
- maintains
- barks
- cries
- heralds
- touts
- trumpets
- promotes
- informs
- protests
- reveals
- rings
- discloses
- broadcasts
- annunciates
- warrants
- disseminates
- manifests
- reports
- imparts
- features
- divulges
- placards
- confirms
- blazes
- flashes
- notifies
- posts
- gives out
- tolls
- bulletins
- bills
- upholds
- introduces
- billboards
- apprises
- justifies
- rationalizes
- communicates
- gazettes
- avouches
- releases
- puffs
- defends
- advises
- blurbs
- argues
- knells
- vindicates
- intimates
- perseveres
- blazons
- reaffirms
- plugs
- reasserts
- reasons
- spreads
- hands down
- calls (off or out)
- kithes
- pitches
- supports
- runs with
- beats the drum (for or about)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- ignores
- disregards
- neglects
- conceals
- minimizes
- withholds
- overlooks
- suppresses
- understates
- recalls
- silences
- downplays
- rejects
- revokes
- underplays
- abandons
- retracts
- repudiates
- recants
- disavows
- disclaims
- negates
- denies
- hushes (up)
- contradicts
- refutes
- disowns
- disproves
- rebuts
- challenges
- counters
- disputes
- confutes
- de-emphasizes
- soft-pedals
- questions
- plays down
- negatives
- gainsays