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 Several Republican senators Tuesday, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), avowed that Russia is solely to blame for the conflict. Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 26 Feb. 2025 But even for Ye, his abrupt public embrace of antisemitism and counterintuitive right-wing political rhetoric, resulting in his bringing avowed white nationalist Nick Fuentes to dine with Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, has been disturbing. Aja Romano, Vox, 7 Feb. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for avow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for avow
Verb
  • While working on the film, Lively insisted on rewriting the infamous rooftop scene.
    Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2025
  • Some Justices insist on total secrecy from their clerks, including about even the fact of their having worked on particular cases.
    Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • Related article Kurdish separatist leader calls on followers to disarm, potentially ending a five-decade insurgency with Turkey In March, the PKK declared an immediate ceasefire after Ocalan called on fighters to lay down their arms and dissolve the group.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 12 May 2025
  • During his first term in office, Trump often used Potemkin announcements to declare victory in the hopes no one would follow up on the tangibles.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • Chris Brown was arrested at his hotel in Manchester, U.K. on Thursday morning (May 15) over what British authorities alleged was an attack on a music producer at a London nightclub two years ago.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 15 May 2025
  • The Department of Justice in Maine filed a lawsuit alleging the state’s Department of Education is out of compliance with Title IX.
    Amy DeLaura, The Washington Examiner, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • But while markets have grown more volatile in response to Mr. Trump’s whipsawing approach to trade, Mr. Buffett professed little worry about the effects of that volatility on Berkshire.
    Michael J. de la Merced, New York Times, 3 May 2025
  • From the time of its populist founding, the Christian Church professed profound optimism about life, both earthly and eternal.
    Richard D. Mahoney, JSTOR Daily, 30 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The real mover and shaker of the year has been the teenage dream Mirra Andreeva who claimed the Dubai Tennis Championships and also Indian Wells by defeating Sabalenka.
    Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
  • Australia’s Anthony Albanese claimed a historic second term as prime minister on Saturday in a dramatic comeback against once-resurgent conservatives that was powered by voters' concerns about the influence of U.S. President Donald Trump.
    Kirsty Needham, USA Today, 4 May 2025
Verb
  • In response, two of Trump's senior officials made statements asserting that the message was a threat toward the president.
    Rachel Raposas, People.com, 16 May 2025
  • Inspired by classic boom-bap production, lyrically, the track sees Young assert her agency in the bedroom with a new flame.
    Sophie Williams, Billboard, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • Trump, Zelenskyy meet privately ahead of pope's funeral At the time, Zelenskyy contended the Russian president needed stronger pushback from Ukraine's allies.
    Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Another theory contends that different features in nature, such as the pattern of leaf shadows moving on the forest floor under the sunlight, provide stimuli that is interesting but not overly demanding for humans.
    Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 30 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Notably, an anonymous poll of his NBA peers by Sam Amick and Josh Robbins of The Athletic proclaimed the 6-foot-5 Iowa State product to be the league's most overrated player.
    Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
  • Additionally, all 2025 mayoral candidates, former police commissioners, district attorneys, and public officials must proclaim that NYC should not obey the egregious orders.
    Arnold Kriss, New York Daily News, 15 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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