avow

[ uh-vou ]

verb (used with object)

1. to declare frankly or openly; assert; confess; admit:

   He avowed himself an opponent of all alliances.

   Synonyms: profess, own, declare, affirm, acknowledge

   Antonyms: repudiate, disavow, deny

avow

/ əˈvaʊd; əˈvaʊ; əˈvaʊɪdlɪ /

verb

1. to state or affirm
2. to admit openly
3. rare.
   law to justify or maintain (some action taken)

Derived Forms

• aˈvowable, adjective
• aˈvowal, noun
• aˈvower, noun
• avowedly, adverb
• avowed, adjective

Other Words From

• a·vowa·ble adjective
• a·vower noun
• rea·vow verb (used with object)
• una·vowa·ble adjective
• una·vowa·ble·ness noun
• una·vowa·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of avow¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English avowen, from Old French avoue(r), from Latin advocāre; advocate

Word History and Origins

Origin of avow¹

C13: from Old French avouer to confess, from Latin advocāre to appeal to, call upon; see avouch , advocate

Example Sentences

The Republican National Committee, now run by Trump's family and personal henchmen, will not hire anyone who doesn't avow that Trump actually won the 2020 election.

From Salon

By contrast, California’s public universities ignore the test scores and avow the importance of diversity.

From Washington Post

There are still Laemmles in the movie business, and any Los Angeles cinephile will avow that the family is doing God’s work.

From New York Times

For six months, Mandel and several others working for the abortion rights advocacy group Avow Texas have been going door-to-door trying to move the needle ahead of the midterm election in Rep. Angie Chen Button’s district.

From Seattle Times

While deep canvassing has been tried in other states to change minds on immigration, abortion and transgender rights, it’s a novel political approach in Texas, Avow political director Caroline Duble said.

From Seattle Times