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 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
  1. insist
  2. declare
  3. allege
  4. profess
  5. claim
  6. assert
  7. contend
  8. proclaim
Verb
  • But one of Holmgren’s first acts as a member of the Thunder, after a spectacular performance in his Summer League début, was to insist that a teammate join him for the postgame interview, which traditionally goes to the game’s key player.
    — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 8 June 2025
  • Johnson insisted that Musk has bad information, and the speaker disputed the forecasts of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office that scores budget legislation.
    — Bill Barrow, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2025
Definition of insist
Verb
  • With support from some lawmakers including Crenshaw, Trump has also declared Mexican cartels terrorist organizations -- and some have suggested Washington should send the U.S. military to kill cartel leaders on their own turf.
    — Josh Meyer, USA Today, 5 June 2025
  • The town of Pryluky, where the firefighter’s family and two other people were killed overnight, declared two days of mourning on Thursday and Friday, ordering flags to be flown half-mast and black banners displayed on public buildings.
    — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
Definition of declare
Verb
  • By failing to meet and confer with the union over the impact of a return-to-office order on supervisors and managers in early March, Newsom violated state labor law, the union alleges.
    — William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 8 June 2025
  • The passenger alleged that McRoy continued to take more marijuana dabs.
    — Staff report, Hartford Courant, 8 June 2025
Definition of allege
Verb
  • But listen to those lyrics, which also land differently in a modern context — especially when thinking about how the Bible nowadays is too often used to justify hate instead of the love Jesus professed.
    — Matthew J. Palm, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 June 2025
  • You might feel called to profess your love, take next steps in your relationship, or start building your dream life in some actionable way.
    — Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 June 2025
Definition of profess
Verb
  • Snaking between trees or buildings may cause the drone to crash – the post cites examples where riders claim to have survived this way.
    — David Hambling, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • Sneed, the key witness for the prosecution, claimed Glossip paid him $10,000 to kill Van Treese.
    — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 9 June 2025
Definition of claim
Verb
  • The Biden Department of Education’s fact sheet—which was not a law or a regulation promulgated through agency rule-making—asserted colleges paying athletes for use of their NIL ought to count as athletic financial assistance within the meaning of Title IX.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 9 June 2025
  • After a shock-and-awe run of asserting executive power — much of it now tied up in the courts — Trump’s full attention is now on the Capitol, where lawmaking is in short supply this year.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 6 June 2025
Definition of assert
Verb
  • The defense contends the government’s approach was designed to imply corruption, alleging misconduct on Diddy’s part in obstructing justice.
    — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 9 June 2025
  • Reddit contends its unique features elevate its content and thus make the content more attractive to scraping endeavors.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 8 June 2025
Definition of contend
Verb
  • Jordan Vidovic proclaimed that the RedHawks are the best team in Illinois to ever play the sport.
    — Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2025
  • Prior to the match, John McEnroe proclaimed that either would be the favorite against 14-time Roland Garros winner Rafael Nadal, who was honored before the tournament with his footprint on Philippe-Chatrier.
    — Adam Zagoria, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
Definition of proclaim

Browse Nearby Words

avouchments
avow
avowal
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Cite this Entry

“Avow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avow. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

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