C1verbformallawpolitics
US/prəˈfes/
UK/prəˈfes/
to say openly that something is true about you, often when it is not really true
In context
The accused continued to profess his innocence until the very end of the trial.
Politicians who profess to care about the poor often vote against higher wages.
She professed no interest in politics, yet she never missed the evening news.
Words that go with profess
verb + noun
- profess loyaltyAfter the vote, ministers rushed to profess loyalty to the new leader.
- profess a beliefMany leaders profess a belief in free speech but punish critics.
- profess ignoranceThe manager tried to profess ignorance of the missing money.
verb + preposition
- profess toI don't profess to be an expert on tax law.
adverb + verb
- openly professFew officials openly profess their religion in public life.