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profess

pro·fess

profess

 
 
pronunciation:
pr fes
parts of speech:
transitive verb, intransitive verb
features:
Word Combinations (verb), Word Explorer, Grammatical Patterns, Word Parts
part of speech: transitive verb
inflections: professes, professing, professed
definition 1: to claim or declare, esp. insincerely.
She professed sympathy but truly felt none.He professed an intimate knowledge of the city.They professed that they knew nothing of the murder.[verb + (that) + clause ] He professed to be an expert on the subject, but he seemed to know less than the rest of us.[verb + infinitive ]
synonyms:
allege, claim, pretend to
similar words:
assume, declare, dissemble, fake, feign, plead, purport, simulate
definition 2: to acknowledge openly; affirm.
It was on this night that they professed their love.He professed his skepticism of the plan to his boss.She professed that it had always been her intention to crush the competition.[verb + (that) + clause ]
synonyms:
affirm, avow
similar words:
acknowledge, admit, announce, asseverate, aver, avouch, confess, declare, own up to, plead, proclaim, pronounce
definition 3: to assert belief in.
The group professes Christianity.
synonyms:
believe in
similar words:
avow, confess, embrace, practice, predicate
definition 4: to practice (a profession) or claim special knowledge of.
Our daughter intends to profess medicine.
similar words:
know, practice, study
definition 5: to teach (a subject) at the college or university level.
He has professed history for twenty-five years at this college.
synonyms:
teach
 
part of speech: intransitive verb
definition 1: to make an open declaration.
similar words:
declare, pronounce
definition 2: to take vows as a member of a religious order.
synonyms:
take vows
similar words:
pledge, vow
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