avow

verb

ə-ˈvau̇ 

avowed; avowing; avows

transitive verb

1

: to declare assuredly

She avowed her innocence.

2

: to declare openly, bluntly, and without shame

ever ready to avow his reactionary outlook

avower

ə-ˈvau̇(-ə)r 

noun

Synonyms

• affirm
• allege
• assert
• aver
• avouch
• claim
• contend
• declare
• insist
• maintain
• profess
• protest
• purport
• warrant

Choose the Right Synonym for avow

acknowledge, admit, own, avow, confess mean to disclose against one's will or inclination.

acknowledge implies the disclosing of something that has been or might be concealed.

acknowledged an earlier peccadillo

admit implies reluctance to disclose, grant, or concede and refers usually to facts rather than their implications.

admitted the project was over budget

own implies acknowledging something in close relation to oneself.

must own I know little about computers

avow implies boldly declaring, often in the face of hostility, what one might be expected to be silent about.

avowed that he was a revolutionary

confess may apply to an admission of a weakness, failure, omission, or guilt.

confessed a weakness for sweets

assert, declare, affirm, protest, avow mean to state positively usually in anticipation of denial or objection.

assert implies stating confidently without need for proof or regard for evidence.

asserted that modern music is just noise

declare stresses open or public statement.

declared her support for the candidate

affirm implies conviction based on evidence, experience, or faith.

affirmed the existence of an afterlife

protest emphasizes affirming in the face of denial or doubt.

protested that he really had been misquoted

avow stresses frank declaration and acknowledgment of personal responsibility for what is declared.

avowed that all investors would be repaid in full

Examples of avow in a Sentence

avowed that the colonization of Mars in our lifetime is not only possible but probable

avowed their undying love for each other

Recent Examples on the Web

Meta may view the decision as an opportunity to jettison a policy targeted by conservatives and curry favor with Trump, while shifting the company toward a permissive stance on speech that Zuckerberg has previously avowed, the experts said. —Max Zahn, ABC News, 7 Jan. 2025

The choice reflects Francis’ avowed aim to give women greater leadership roles in the Roman Catholic Church. —Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2025

Who gets the money? Oct. 23, 2024 There is no such controversy surrounding the Freeman ball, which soared directly at Zachary Ruderman, whose avowed favorite player is Freeman and who keeps score at the frequent games his family attends. —Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 15 Dec. 2024

There are avowed eyebrow experts on Telegram who are claiming that this is absolutely 100% not the same person. —Tim Marchman, WIRED, 13 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French avuer, avouer, from Latin advocare to summon

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

avow

verb

ə-ˈvau̇ 

: to declare or acknowledge openly and frankly