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

He is an avowed friend of the fossil fuel industry, from whom he reportedly demanded $1 billion in campaign funds at a fundraising dinner last spring, promising in exchange to gut environmental regulations.

From Salon

The fact that negotiations on Trump Tower in Moscow were going on well into the 2016 campaign was never avowed.

From Salon

Though he’s an avowed New Yorker, Esposito sees something special about the L.A.-ness of the event.

From Los Angeles Times

The former president, who has dined with avowed neo-Nazis like Nick Fuentes, said on Thursday that it didn’t make sense for Jewish voters to back Democrats.

From Salon

Of all the mysteries surrounding a sophisticated and startling attack against an avowed adversary of Israel, one question stands out: Why?

From Los Angeles Times