Avowal: meaning, definitions and examples

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avowal

 

[ əˈvaʊəl ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

declaration of truth

An avowal is a formal statement asserting that something is true. It is a declaration or acknowledgment of a fact or belief. Avowals are often made publicly or officially to affirm the truth of a particular matter.

Synonyms

affirmation, assertion, declaration.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
avowal

Used when someone makes a public statement or confession, often showing honesty or sincerity about personal beliefs or feelings.

  • He made an avowal of his love for her in front of the entire community
assertion

Used to describe a confident and forceful statement of fact or belief, often in arguments or debates. It can sometimes have a confrontational connotation.

  • Her assertion that the policy was flawed sparked a heated debate during the meeting
affirmation

Best suited for situations where one confirms or supports something positively, often used in legal or formal contexts.

  • The president’s speech was an affirmation of his commitment to public welfare
declaration

Common in formal and official contexts where someone is making an official statement, announcement, or claim.

  • The government issued a declaration of emergency due to the natural disaster

Examples of usage

  • He made an avowal of his love for her in front of all their friends.
  • The avowal of his guilt shocked everyone in the courtroom.
Context #2 | Noun

confession

In a more personal context, an avowal can refer to a confession or admission of a secret or wrongdoing. It is a frank acknowledgment of something that may be embarrassing or incriminating.

Synonyms

admission, confession, disclosure.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
avowal

Use this word when someone is openly declaring a belief, position, or feeling, especially in a formal or serious way.

  • His avowal of love left her speechless
  • The politician's avowal of his policies was clear and unapologetic
confession

Use this term when someone is revealing something personal, usually related to sins, secrets, or wrongdoings. It often carries a connotation of seeking forgiveness or coming clean.

  • The priest listened to her confession in the quiet church
  • In a moment of honesty, he made a full confession of his mistakes
admission

This word is appropriate when someone acknowledges a fact or truth, particularly in situations where the acknowledgment is reluctant or ties to a fault.

  • Her admission of guilt was necessary for the investigation to proceed
  • After much hesitation, his admission that he was wrong cleared the air
disclosure

This word fits when revealing information, often information that has been kept secret or private. It's commonly used in legal, financial, and formal contexts.

  • The disclosure of the company's financial records was mandatory during the audit
  • She was worried about the potential impact of the disclosure of her medical history

Examples of usage

  • Her avowal of her past mistakes showed her courage and honesty.
  • The politician's avowal of his involvement in the scandal was unexpected.

Translations

Translations of the word "avowal" in other languages:

🇵🇹 declaração

🇮🇳 स्वीकारोक्ति

🇩🇪 Anerkennung

🇮🇩 pengakuan

🇺🇦 визнання

🇵🇱 przyznanie

🇯🇵 承認 (しょうにん)

🇫🇷 aveu

🇪🇸 reconocimiento

🇹🇷 itiraf

🇰🇷 인정 (injeong)

🇸🇦 اعتراف

🇨🇿 přiznání

🇸🇰 priznanie

🇨🇳 承认 (chéngrèn)

🇸🇮 priznanje

🇮🇸 viðurkenning

🇰🇿 мойындау

🇬🇪 აღიარება

🇦🇿 etiraf

🇲🇽 reconocimiento

Etymology

The word 'avowal' originated from the Middle English 'avowaille', which came from the Old French 'avoeil', meaning 'promise' or 'vow'. The term 'avowal' has been used since the 14th century to denote a formal declaration of truth or acknowledgment of a belief. Over time, it has evolved to encompass both public affirmations and personal confessions.

See also: avowedly, disavow.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,972, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.