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to declare frankly or openly; own; acknowledge; confess; admit:
He avowed himself an opponent of all alliances.
Contemporary Examples

And if they refuse to so avow, suddenly finding themselves with a challenge from the right?
Impeaching Obama May Be Absurd, but That Won’t Stop the Right-Wing Fringe Michael Tomasky August 27, 2013

And if they do so avow—well, the worst scenario is as follows.
Impeaching Obama May Be Absurd, but That Won’t Stop the Right-Wing Fringe Michael Tomasky August 27, 2013

Historical Examples

I avow that I do not regard it as so manly, so truly masculine, you comprehend, as the opposite trait.
Miss Ravenel’s conversion from secession to loyalty J. W. de Forest

It is wise, and may be useful, on all proper occasions, to avow our convictions.
Female Scripture Biographies, Vol. I Francis Augustus Cox

My principles were true; my motives were pure: why should I scruple to avow my principles and vindicate my actions?
Arthur Mervyn Charles Brockden Brown

All mankind are like us, but they have not the candour to avow it.’
Barnaby Rudge Charles Dickens

“What right had a man who wrote a play p. 23for the stage, to avow contempt for the theatric profession”?
Anna Seward Stapleton Martin

He was forced to avow the wisdom of my counsel, and to be guided by it.
The Suitors of Yvonne Raphael Sabatini

It is necessary that you may avow your language is not useful for the purpose ordinary of the world.
The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction Various

I have at least reached the point in life where men not only have convictions but avow them.’
Lord Kilgobbin Charles Lever

verb (transitive)
to state or affirm
to admit openly
(law, rare) to justify or maintain (some action taken)
v.

early 13c., from Anglo-French avouer, Old French avoer “acknowledge, accept, recognize,” especially as a protector (Modern French avouer), from Latin advocare (see advocate). A synonym of avouch (q.v.), which tends to contain the more technical, legal aspect of the word. Related: Avowed; avowing.