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)

Other Word Forms

• avowable adjective
• avower noun
• reavow verb (used with object)
• unavowable adjective
• unavowableness noun
• unavowably adverb
• avowal noun
• avowedly adverb
• avowed adjective

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

In addition to his crypto chops and avowed support for constitutional originalism, he has been an ardent defender of religious liberty and an opponent of affirmative action.

From Los Angeles Times

Watters did not mention Borysenko’s avowed support for the far-right, including her stated belief that “fascism might actually be our only option to actually defeat the left.”

From Salon

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's governing coalition, including far-right figures whose avowed policy is to expel Palestinians and build Jewish settlements in their place, is intent on pulling the plug on a two-state solution.

From BBC

Maybe the intention was that Sarah, an avowed man-eater, uses her beauty as armor.

From Los Angeles Times

An avowed Kolkata evangelist, he wanted to paint the dome and raised the money for it from friends and associates.

From BBC