profess
[verb]
Synonyms:
- claim, allege, fake, feign, make out, pretend, purport
- state, admit, affirm, announce, assert, avow, confess, declare, proclaim, vouch

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

pro‧fess /prəˈfes/ verb [transitive] formal
[Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin; Origin: professus, past participle of profiteri 'to profess, confess']

1. to say that you do, are etc something, especially when it is not really true
profess to do/be something
The government professes to care about the poor.
He professed to be an expert on Islamic art.

2. profess your innocence to say that you did not do something bad, especially a crime:
In court, the man was still professing his innocence.

3. to state a personal feeling or belief openly:
He finally made up his mind to profess his love for her.
profess yourself (to be) something
He professed himself satisfied with the results.

4. to have a religion or belief:
Matt professed no religion.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲