to lay claim to, often insincerely; pretend to

He professed extreme regret.

to declare openly; announce or affirm; avow or acknowledge

to profess one's satisfaction.

to affirm faith in or allegiance to (a religion, God, etc.).

to declare oneself skilled or expert in; claim to have knowledge of; make (a thing) one's profession or business.

to teach as a professor

She professes comparative literature.

to receive or admit into a religious order.

to make a profession, avowal, or declaration.

to take the vows of a religious order.

verb

conceal , hide

verb

acknowledge , act as if , admit , affirm , allege , announce , asseverate , aver , avouch , avow , blow hot air , certify , claim , come out * , confess , confirm , constate , croon , cross heart , depose , dissemble , fake , feign , get off chest , get on soapbox , maintain , make out , open up , own , own up , predicate , pretend , proclaim , purport , say so , sing * , soapbox , spiel * , spout * , state , stump * , swear on bible , swear up and down , talk big , vouch , affect , assert , declare