avowal

noun

avow·​al ə-ˈvau̇(-ə)l How to pronounce avowal (audio)
: an open declaration or acknowledgment

Examples of avowal in a Sentence

I didn't believe her avowal of innocence. The couple exchanged avowals of love.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Their jobs—which may involve stabbing, shooting, or strangling, as well as betrayals and avowals of loyalty, and locking bodies in car trunks for later disposal—may be slightly stressful at times, but the effects are temporary. Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 30 July 2024 The finale gave us a pretty thrilling cliffhanger: an airborne dragon duel, the killing of a young prince, avowals of all-out war. Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 14 June 2024 Indeed, Anderson’s avowal of the left’s historical defeat slides too easily into resentment of such people, who have failed to shake off their Eastern superstitions and appreciate the Western virtues of reason and enlightenment. Pankaj Mishra, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2013 What’s worth bearing in mind is that an avowal of love can have meanings beyond its words. Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for avowal 

Word History

First Known Use

1679, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of avowal was in 1679

Dictionary Entries Near avowal

Cite this Entry

“Avowal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/avowal. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

avowal

noun
avow·​al ə-ˈvau̇(-ə)l How to pronounce avowal (audio)
: an open declaration or admission

More from Merriam-Webster on avowal

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!