to avow

Examples

• All

• The issue has never been whether there were men who openly avowed atheism in the Renaissance.

  Academic text (1993)

• "With my last breath," she avowed, the second before his lips made speech impossible.

  Fiction book (1990)

• I brought this priest here to avow our sins.

  We're No Angels (1989)

• Well, sir, should there be, let me avow that I would freely and without hesitation, offer myself up for arrest.

  Peterloo (2018)

• Williams had hoped for more, believing that the constitution of a Christian nation should avow its religious heritage.

  Academic text (1997)

• Another predictable outcome is that many companies will avow a focus on business continuity planning and will give serious thought to their vulnerabilities.

  Academic text (2011)

• In essence, the government avows not to manipulate the workings of the religious marketplace.

  Academic text (1999)

• A political ethos introduced in Australia circa 1970 from Canada, multiculturalism avows the equality of all cultures.

  Academic text (2005)

• Gentlemen, may I first avow, that it is a matter of some pride... ..immense privilege and not insignificant encouragement... to be met here today in this great metropolis of London with such a wide and devoted body of reformers.

  Peterloo (2018)

• Catholic temperance societies and the Ancient Order of Hibernians vehemently disagreed, avowing that Catholicism was a necessary ingredient of Irish identity.

  Academic text (2000)

Synonyms

S

to swear

vsto avow

• Formal

∞ 4.6

To make a serious promise, often in court

is an open public admission rather than a sworn legal or religious pledge

A

to announce

vsto avow

∞ 1.5

To tell people officially about something, often in public

is a public admission that often has a personal or bold tone

D

to declare

vsto avow

• Formal

950 3.7

To officially tell other people or officials about something

focuses more on openly admitting or owning something personally

A

to assert

vsto avow

229 3.9

To clearly and firmly say your needs or opinions

leans more toward a public, often bold admission rather than private insistence

P

to proclaim

vsto avow

• Formal

229 5.3

To officially announce something to the public

is more about openly admitting or owning a position rather than only announcing

A

to affirm

vsto avow

108 4.1

To state clearly that something is true or show support for it

is more about openly admitting or owning a position than showing support

P

to profess

vsto avow

72 5.9

To say you believe or support something, often without meaning it

is an open public admission often made with firm intent

A

to aver

vsto avow

• Formal

2 7.9

To say firmly that something is true

is similar but emphasizes public admission rather than only confident assertion

A

to avouch

vsto avow

• Archaic

1 9.9

To say clearly and without doubt that something is true

is a public bold admission or declaration

A

to asseverate

vsto avow

• Formal

9.9

To say something firmly and seriously

is the same public admission but with less technical emphasis on force

Antonyms

D

to disavow

• Formal

33 7.7

To say you are not responsible for or connected to something

How Open

to proclaim

• Formal

229 5.3

to avow

• Formal

4 7.6

to declare

• Formal

950 3.7

to state

∞ 1.6

to admit

∞ 2.0

to say

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology