Synonym Chooser

How is the word avow distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of avow are affirm, assert, declare, and protest. While all these words mean "to state positively usually in anticipation of denial or objection," avow stresses frank declaration and acknowledgment of personal responsibility for what is declared.

avowed that all investors would be repaid in full

When might affirm be a better fit than avow?

The synonyms affirm and avow are sometimes interchangeable, but affirm implies conviction based on evidence, experience, or faith.

affirmed the existence of an afterlife

Where would assert be a reasonable alternative to avow?

Although the words assert and avow have much in common, assert implies stating confidently without need for proof or regard for evidence.

asserted that modern music is just noise

When would declare be a good substitute for avow?

In some situations, the words declare and avow are roughly equivalent. However, declare stresses open or public statement.

declared her support for the candidate

When could protest be used to replace avow?

The words protest and avow can be used in similar contexts, but protest emphasizes affirming in the face of denial or doubt.

protested that he really had been misquoted

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of avow Jelly Roll has long been a loud, avowed Eminem fan. Brian McCollum, USA Today, 20 May 2025 Nigel and Isaac had post-Revolutionary War love They were avowed enemies of war: American Revolutionary War veteran Isaac Higgintoot (Brandon Scott Jones) and British officer Nigel Chessum (John Hartman) found unlikely love in Season 2. Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 10 May 2025 Jennifer Lawrence, Emily Ratajkowski, Hailey Bieber, and Rihanna and A$AP Rocky are all avowed Doona-heads. Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 17 Apr. 2025 Discovering this, avowed capitalist Nelson Rockefeller asked the artist to change or remove it. Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for avow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for avow
Verb
  • First, Disney insists on direct senior leadership involvement, recognizing that executives must work alongside their teams to separate genuine AI capabilities from marketing hype.
    Maribel Lopez, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Immediately after his death, Knight says Afeni, who died at age 60 in May 2016, turned to him and insisted her son be cremated, right then and there.
    Danielle Bacher, People.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Jariwala was transported from her home in Andheri to a hospital, where she was declared dead by the doctors, Mumbai police told ANI, which reported that police received information about her death at around 1 a.m. local time.
    Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 28 June 2025
  • The driver of the Pathfinder was declared dead just before 2 p.m. The other two drivers were taken to hospitals with unspecified injuries, according to the release.
    Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • Chen ultimately began to communicate with a member of the Navy on social media, the DOJ alleges, and arranged for a tour of the USS Abraham Lincoln in San Diego with the employee.
    Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025
  • The criminal complaint alleges that she was captured on surveillance footage carrying a black backpack entering the locker room area, appearing to take a photo of the vicinity, and departing without the backpack.
    Mike Brest, The Washington Examiner, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Mah Jongg has been featured on morning talk shows, with Savannah Guthrie and Jenna Bush Hager (of the Today Show) professing their love for the game.
    Irene S. Levine, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
  • And days later, the two professed their love to one another.
    Moná Thomas, People.com, 5 June 2025
Verb
  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed that the administration acted under the War Powers Act by notifying members of Congress after the strikes.
    Annabella Rosciglione, The Washington Examiner, 22 June 2025
  • The Dreamers also claim their stadium would provide more event space.
    Kelly Martinez Semrad, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 June 2025
Verb
  • America asserted its position, secured a partner through alignment against common rivals, and laid the groundwork for its emergence as a global superpower.
    Staff, FOXNews.com, 21 June 2025
  • Bayern asserted their dominance over Group C by thrashing Auckland City in their Club World Cup opener 10-0.
    Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 June 2025
Verb
  • As strangers moments prior, the men had both been nervous that each another might be contending for the same lots, and one of them scooted to a seat farther away to ease the tension.
    Emma Bowman, NPR, 23 June 2025
  • Hill contends the Bills are afraid to cover him man-to-man.
    Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • Earlier this month, Massey posted a social media video proclaiming his innocence.
    Chris Kenning, USA Today, 27 June 2025
  • In it, Weger proclaimed his innocence. DNA testing on items, including Weger’s coat and hair found in the victims’ fists, showed the evidence had been contaminated.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Avow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avow. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

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