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

Later, Jordan became furious when her and Lorde’s mutual friend, the poet Adrienne Rich, publicly avowed her Zionism following Israel’s 1982 invasion of Lebanon. —Danielle Amir Jackson, The Atlantic, 8 Sep. 2024

This desire to make any and all spaces comfortable and cozy, as well as create a distinct personality, is what people are resonating with today, says Grandma’s Silver podcast creator and avowed grandmillennial Allie Kochinsky. —Emily Evans Eerdmans, Architectural Digest, 23 July 2024

This spring, as Ariana Grande made her ambitious and introspective breakup album, her avowed inspiration was Rubber Soul, the 1965 classic in which the Beatles made their definitive move from moptops singing about girls to artists singing about women. —Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 19 July 2024

Voters today are worried and confused, mainly because each party’s candidate, their avowed future policies, and their abilities to perform are suspect. —Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 12 July 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