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 Rather, Israel is fighting a war against a brutal enemy that seized hostages in a surprise massacre, cloaks itself among its civilian population, and avows the destruction of Israel as its inalterable goal. The Editors, National Review, 11 June 2025 The first trailer for the film that will premiere on Hulu/Disney+ on June 27 features testimonials from avowed superfan Paramore singer Hayley Williams, as well as Tool’s Maynard James Keenan and late producer/engineer Steve Albini. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 3 June 2025 One of her harshest critics on the left was Angela Davis, a Black militant and avowed Communist. Katharine Q. Seelye, New York Times, 26 May 2025 Jelly Roll has long been a loud, avowed Eminem fan. Brian McCollum, USA Today, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for avow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for avow
Verb
  • Though the industry is bracing for an EV sales slump, GM's leaders insist that investing deeply and early in a broad range of electric offerings was not a mistake.
    Jackie Charniga, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025
  • The Republican speaker insists his party has been willing to discuss the health care issue with Democrats this fall, before the subsidies expire at the end of the year.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • One was pronounced dead at the scene and the other was declared deceased after being taken to a local hospital, per the outlets.
    Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
  • In 1993 it was declared a historic landmark by the City and County of Denver’s Preservation Commission, which has helped anchor it to Grant Street even as other historic buildings have fallen around it, some replaced with apartment high-rises.
    John Wenzel, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Wendy was allegedly seen wearing one of the diamond rings in a later social media post, authorities alleged.
    Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Dunbar sued the company in 2022, alleging that the production failed to accommodate his belief in the tenets of the Congregation of Universal Wisdom, which disapproves of vaccines and other medical interventions.
    Gene Maddaus, Variety, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Each member of the Sony Columbia group took it in turn to introduce themselves, and everyone professed their love of working on the release of Django Unchained for Sony Columbia Pictures.
    Jay Glennie, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Matt Rhule professed his love for living and working in Nebraska and trying to return the Cornhuskers to the upper echelon of college football.
    Eric Olson, Denver Post, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In the memoir, Federline claimed that he was awarded $20,000 per month in child support for their two sons.
    Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Could the novel claim the title of the first Canadian novel when Canada wasn’t even Canada yet?
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Pritzker has been trying to debunk claims that Chicago is an out-of-control hellhole; to assert in court that the federal government has no right to send in federal troops; and to discredit the tactics by immigration agents to arrest migrants in his state’s streets and businesses.
    Ben Smith, semafor.com, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Scholar Mary Jane Edwards is one who asserts the book’s primacy.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • For the last several years, award-winning filmmaker Richard Ladkani has been at work on a pair of films, among them the current Oscar-contending Yanuni, about a woman Indigenous leader who is fighting to save the Brazilian Amazon at great personal risk.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Defensively, the Bills are not good enough to truly contend for a Super Bowl — at least not yet.
    Gabe Smallson, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In 2021, then-President Joe Biden proclaimed that Indigenous Peoples Day would be celebrated on the second Monday in October, though the holiday was never officially changed.
    Peter D'Abrosca, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Many pundits mistakenly proclaimed the direct-to-consumer option would only benefit the uninsured and not help the majority of Americans who have private insurance coverage with prescription drug coverage.
    Bobby Jindal, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Avow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avow. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

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