profess

2 definitions • 5 examples

to state something, sometimes in a way that is not sincere:

[ + to infinitive ] She professes not to be interested in money.

I don't profess to know all the details about the case.

She professes ignorance of the whole affair, though I'm not sure I believe her.

to claim something, sometimes falsely:

[ + to infinitive ] They professed to have no knowledge of the event.

[ T ] She continues to profess her innocence.