avow

verb \ ə-ˈvau̇ \

Definition of avow

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

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avower

play \-ˈvau̇(-ə)r\ noun

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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 of avow from the Web

The video premiered during a ceremony hosted by pop star and avowed Swift nemesis Katy Perry.

— los angeles times staff, latimes.com, "A Star Is Born: Shania Twain turns 52 today," 28 Aug. 2017
The French avow their standardization of the carte à jouer and its ancestor, the tarot.

— adrienne bernhard, The Atlantic, "The Lost Origins of Playing-Card Symbols," 24 Aug. 2017
The report is likely to renew questions about Mr. Flynn’s avowed eagerness to work with Russia, and his dismissal of concerns about President Vladimir V. Putin, which have at times exceeded even that of Mr. Trump himself.

— matthew rosenberg, mark mazzetti and adam goldman, New York Times, "Trump’s National Security Pick Sees Ally in Fight Against Islamists: Russia," 10 Jan. 2017
The centerpiece will be an exhibit with 500 items on display, including many items that Santulli avowed to be one-of-a-kind and shown on a strictly look-but-please-don’t-play basis.

— suneel ratan, WIRED, "Arcade Addicts Joust With Past," 8 Aug. 2003

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'avow.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of avow

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

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First Known Use: 13th century

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avow Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

deny, gainsay

Related Words

announce, broadcast, proclaim; argue, rationalize, reason; confirm, justify, vindicate; defend, persevere, support, uphold; reaffirm, reassert

Near Antonyms

abandon; disavow, disclaim, disown, negate, negative, reject, repudiate; challenge, dispute, question; confute, disprove, rebut, refute; contradict, counter

Synonym Discussion of 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.