avow

verb

ə-ˈvau̇ How to pronounce avow (audio)
avowed; avowing; avows
Synonyms of avownext

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
avower
ə-ˈvau̇(-ə)r How to pronounce avow (audio)
noun

Synonyms of avow

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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.

asserted that modern music is just noise

declare stresses open or public statement.

declared her support for the candidate

affirm implies conviction based on evidence, experience, or faith.

affirmed the existence of an afterlife

protest emphasizes affirming in the face of denial or doubt.

protested that he really had been misquoted

avow stresses frank declaration and acknowledgment of personal responsibility for what is declared.

avowed that all investors would be repaid in full

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 on the Web
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.
But Fox News Digital has also identified key participation by a network of radical socialist and communist organizations funded by Neville Roy Singham, an American tech tycoon and avowed communist living in China. —Asra Q. Nomani, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2026 The late-night host and avowed Tolkien head is developing the script for the next Lord of the Rings film. —Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2026 Conger avows that at his shop, AI’s adoption hasn’t cost a single job. —Shawn Tully, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2026 When on day five of his mayoralty Zohran Mamdani acknowledged the inefficacy of homeless sweeps and avowed to end them, street homeless adults, advocates, and attorneys rejoiced. —Deborah Berkman, New York Daily News, 24 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for avow

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of avow was in the 13th century

Rhymes for avow

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Browse Nearby Words

avourneen
avow
avowal
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Cite this Entry

“Avow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/avow. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.

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Kids Definition

avow

verb
ə-ˈvau̇ How to pronounce avow (audio)
: to declare or acknowledge openly and frankly

More from Merriam-Webster on avow

Nglish: Translation of avow for Spanish Speakers

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