avow

verb

ə-ˈvau̇ How to pronounce avow (audio)
Definition of avownext
1
as in to insist
to state as a fact usually forcefully avowed that the colonization of Mars in our lifetime is not only possible but probable

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to declare
to state clearly and strongly avowed their undying love for each other

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Who gets the money? Oct. 23, 2024 There is no such controversy surrounding the Freeman ball, which soared directly at Zachary Ruderman, whose avowed favorite player is Freeman and who keeps score at the frequent games his family attends. — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 15 Dec. 2024 There are avowed eyebrow experts on Telegram who are claiming that this is absolutely 100% not the same person. — Tim Marchman, WIRED, 13 Dec. 2024 The lawsuit was first filed against the Eau Claire Area School District in 2022 by the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty and America First Legal — the organization started by Trump’s new deputy chief of staff for policy and avowed white nationalist Stephen Miller. — Mathew Rodriguez, Them, 10 Dec. 2024 Iran and Israel, for example, are avowed adversaries. — Maria Snegovaya, Foreign Affairs, 25 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for avow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for avow
  1. insist
  2. declare
  3. allege
  4. profess
  5. claim
  6. assert
  7. contend
  8. proclaim
Verb
  • Howe rightly insists that, rather than try to completely shut out the emotion this time around, Newcastle need to channel it correctly.
    — Gregg Evans, The Athletic, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Considering the low traction conditions that saw several F1 cars struggle even at low speeds, Croft and Brundle insisted that the race should have been red-flagged until the track was clear to race again.
    — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of insist
Verb
  • When Lawrence declares the Cowboys as a team that isn’t going to win a Super Bowl in the next few years — Lawrence signed a three-year deal in Seattle — the core of the team is understandably going to take offense to that.
    — Saad Yousuf, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
  • The department relieved Proctor of duty on July 1, the very same day a mistrial was declared in the Read case.
    — Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of declare
Verb
  • There has been speculation over the contents of the files since an FOI request was brought by conservative US think-tank the Heritage Foundation, which alleged that Harry may have concealed past drug use that should have disqualified him from obtaining a visa.
    — Caroline Frost, Deadline, 16 Mar. 2025
  • The lawsuit alleged that the paint company supplied the window manufacturer with a defective clear wood preservative.
    — Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of allege
Verb
  • On the surface, Ruffalo seems like an unusual choice for the character, something the actor himself professed to the director after reading the script.
    — Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 6 Mar. 2025
  • In the season 1 finale, Culkin, 44, makes a hilarious appearance as a heckler during the fictional Los Angeles Waves basketball team as another character uses the game to profess his love publicly by singing a Taylor Swift song.
    — Kelsie Gibson, People.com, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of profess
Verb
  • Furthermore, North Korea claimed that its nuclear program is an integral part of its defense program.
    — Washington Examiner Staff, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Auburn claimed the No. 1 overall seed in the men’s bracket, while UCLA secured the top spot for the women’s.
    — Monica Mercuri, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of claim
Verb
  • The Alien and Sedition Acts elicited a firestorm of criticism soon after they were passed, including from Jefferson and James Madison, who asserted that states have the right and duty to declare some federal laws unconstitutional.
    — Daniel Tichenor, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2025
  • In August, during an interview at the National Association of Black Journalists conference, Trump falsely asserted that Harris had not identified before as both Black and Indian.
    — Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of assert
Verb
  • Other development experts contend that foreign aid programs, while imperfect, have still made meaningful progress in improving health, education and freedoms.
    — Sarah Stroup, The Conversation, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Plaintiffs' attorneys contend Trump's order violates transgender people's rights to equal protection under the Fifth Amendment.
    — arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of contend
Verb
  • The president has falsely proclaimed an invasion and predatory incursion to use a law written for wartime for peacetime immigration enforcement.
    — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 16 Mar. 2025
  • For those who proclaim that everything needs to be made in America, this final journey likely symbolizes the end of a (perhaps) bygone era.
    — Rick Helfenbein, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of proclaim

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“Avow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avow. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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