7jan2024 - Verbs

7Jan2024 – Verbs meaning to declare or profess
To avow ................................................................................................................................................... 1
Origin of AVOW .................................................................................................................................. 2
TO acknowledge ...................................................................................................................................... 3
To reason ................................................................................................................................................. 4
Reason..................................................................................................................................................... 5
To aver (tran) ........................................................................................................................................... 7
To affirm .................................................................................................................................................. 8
Origin of AFFIRM ............................................................................................................................. 10
To claim ................................................................................................................................................. 10
Origin of CLAIM ............................................................................................................................... 12
To contend............................................................................................................................................. 12
Origin of CONTEND ......................................................................................................................... 13
To declare .............................................................................................................................................. 13
To maintain............................................................................................................................................ 15
Origin of MAINTAIN ........................................................................................................................ 17
To profess .............................................................................................................................................. 17
Origin of PROFESS ........................................................................................................................... 18
To avow
tr.v. a·vowed, a·vow·ing, a·vows

1. To acknowledge or declare openly and unashamedly: avowed their faith in the electoral process.
2. To state positively; declare: "Various church councils have avowed that evolution poses no threat to
supernatural belief" (Frederick C. Crews).
vb (tr)
1. to state or affirm
2. to admit openly
3. (Law) law rare to justify or maintain (some action taken)
[C13: from Old French avouer to confess, from Latin advocāre to appeal to, call upon; see avouch, ad
vocate]
aˈvowable adj
aˈvowal n
avowed adj
avowedly adv
aˈvower n
1
inflected form(s): -ed/-ing/-s
1obsolete : to acknowledge (a person) as one's own : acknowledge with approval (an agent's actions)
2a: to assert or declare as a fact : CLAIM<the modest procedure is not to avow loudly … our love of truth —
G. W. Sherburn><I can … avow him to be the best family a boy ever had — W. J. Locke>
b: to acknowledge and assert (an act, a purpose) with frankness and determination : declare openly,
bluntly, and without shame<the frankness to avow poverty — G. B. Shaw>
3law : to acknowledge and justify (an act done) specifically : to make an avowry of
avow·er noun, plural avow·ers
<I wandered onward and found the audio booth, which was as dreary as Caron had avowed.
Said avower was perched on a stool in front of an intimidating display of switches and glowing lights. —
Joan Hess, A Really Cute Corpse, 1988>
Origin of AVOW
Middle English avowen, from Old French avouer, from Latin advocare to summon, call to one's
aid
to state as a fact usually forcefully
avowed that the colonization of Mars in our lifetime is not only possible but probable
Synonyms affirm, allege, assert, aver, avouch, claim, contend, declare, insist, maintain, profess,
protest, purport, warrant
Related Words announce, broadcast, proclaim; argue, rationalize, reason; confirm, justify, vindicate;
defend, persevere, support, uphold; reaffirm, reassert
Synonymous Phrases put forth
Near Antonyms abandon; disavow, disclaim, disown, negate, negative, reject, repudiate; challenge,
dispute, question; confute, disprove, rebut, refute; contradict, counter
Antonyms deny, gainsay
2to state clearly and strongly
avowed their undying love for each other
Synonyms affirm, assert, aver, avouch, declare, guarantee, lay down, profess
Related Words advance, advertise, boost, plug, promote, publicize; announce, blaze, call, proclaim,
pronounce, say; accent, accentuate, emphasize, stress, underline, underscore; advocate, champion,
defend, espouse, support, uphold; assure, convince, persuade; explain, justify, rationalize; reaffirm,
reassert
Near Antonyms minimize, understate; disregard, ignore, neglect, overlook
2
TO acknowledge
tr.v. ac·knowl·edged, ac·knowl·edg·ing, ac·knowl·edg·es
1. To admit the existence or truth of: The doctors acknowledged that the treatment had not been succ
essful.
2.
a. To express recognition of; make notice of: "When he saw me acknowledge him, he smiled as if we
were dear friends" (Angela Patrinos).
b. To express gratitude or appreciation for or to: acknowledged the contributions of the volunteers; ac
knowledged her editor in the preface to the book.
3. To report the receipt of (something) to the sender or giver: acknowledge a letter.
4. Law To accept or certify as legally binding: acknowledge a deed of ownership.

transitive verb
1: to show by word or act that one has knowledge of and agrees to (a fact or truth)<ends
generally acknowledged to be good — T. B. Macaulay>: concede to be real or true<acknowledge that the
bombing … was a mistake — Norman Cousins>: ADMIT
2a: to show by word or act that one has knowledge of and respect for the rights, claims, authority, or
status of<acknowledge an important contribution to the work>: recognize, honor, or respect especially
publicly<acknowledged him first citizen of the town>
b: to take notice of : indicate recognition and acceptance of<she acknowledged his greeting by a slight
inclination of the head>
3a: to show by word or act that one has knowledge of and regard for (a duty, obligation, or
indebtedness)<acknowledge their moral obligation to the people>: express or admit gratitude or
obligation for (as a gift, favor, or obligation)<acknowledge his services>
b: to make known to a sender or giver the receipt of (what has been sent or given) or the fact of (one's
having received what has been sent or given)<acknowledge a gift><acknowledge receipt of a letter>
4: to recognize as genuine : assent to (as a legal instrument) so as to give validity : avow or admit in legal
form<acknowledge a deed>
intransitive verb
: to indicate the receipt and understanding of a message<the pilot acknowledged by dipping the plane's
wings>
to accept the truth or existence of (something) usually reluctantly
finally had to acknowledge that she'd outgrown her favorite jacket
Synonyms admit, agree, allow, concede, confess, fess (up), grant, own (up to)
Related Words disburden, unburden, unload; affirm, avow, confirm, profess; accept, recognize, yield;
announce, break, broadcast, communicate, declare, disclose, divulge, impart, proclaim, publish,
reveal, spill, tell, unveil; betray, blab, expose, give away, inform, leak, rat, squeal, talk, tattle, tip (off),
warn, wise (up); breathe, say, whisper
Synonymous Phrases come clean (about)
Near Antonyms disallow, disavow, disclaim, disown; contradict, dispute, gainsay, negate, negative;
rebut, refute, reject, repudiate; conceal, cover (up), hide, obscure, veil; kid (oneself)
3
Antonyms deny
To reason
rea·soned; reasoned; rea·son·ing; rea·sons

intransitive verb
1: to use the faculty of reason so as to arrive at conclusions : THINK<is able to reason brilliantly>
2aobsolete : to take part in a conversation, discussion, or argument with another
b: to talk or discourse persuasively with another so as to influence, modify, or change the other's actions
or opinions<is someone you simply can't reason with>
transitive verb
1archaic
a: DISCUSS, ARGUE<am in no humor to reason that point — Maria Edgeworth>
b(1) : to analyze by the use of reason (as in critically examining or in seeking out inferences or
conclusions)
(2) : to justify or support with reasons<this boy … does reason our petition — Shakespeare>
2: to persuade, influence, or otherwise prevail on by the use of reason<reasoned myself out of the
instincts and rules by which one mostly surrounds oneself — W. B. Yeats><reasoned her into believing
what he said>
3: to discover, formulate, or conclude by the use of reason —usually used with out<reason out a
plan><the steadiness of a reasoned conviction — A. L. Guérard>
1to form an opinion or reach a conclusion through reasoning and information
she reasoned that since all of the cakes were on sale for the same price, she might as well pick the
biggest one
Synonyms conclude, decide, deduce, derive, extrapolate, gather, infer, judge, make out, understand
Related Words assume, suppose; conjecture, guess, speculate, surmise; construe, interpret, read;
contemplate, philosophize, rationalize, think; ascertain, dope (out), find out
Synonymous Phrases draw a conclusion
2to state (something) as a reason in support of or against something under consideration
he tried to reason that no one in their right mind would buy his brother's old video games, but they
were put on the online auction anyway
Synonyms argue, assert, contend, maintain, plead
Related Words adduce, cite, mention; claim, insist; affirm, aver, avouch, avow; advance, give, offer,
propose, submit; advise, counsel, recommend, suggest, urge; convince, persuade; advocate,
champion, defend, enforce, espouse, support; explain, justify, rationalize; consider, debate, discuss;
confute, counter, disprove, rebut, refute
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Reason
1a statement given to explain a belief or act
she gave a good reason for her seemingly suspicious behavior
Synonyms account, accounting, argument, case, explanation, rationale
Related Words alibi, apologia, apology, defense, excuse, justification, vindication; appeal, plea; guise,
pretense (or pretence), pretext, rationalization
2something (as a belief) that serves as the basis for another thing
a firm belief that we are here on earth to help others is the reason for her tireless volunteer work
Synonyms account, authority, grounds, motive, subject, wherefore, why
Related Words antecedent, cause, consideration, impetus, incentive, inspiration, instigation,

occasion, stimulus
3an explanation that frees one from fault or blame
what reason do you have for being in such a bad mood?
Synonyms alibi, apology, defense, excuse, justification, plea
Related Words color, guise, pretense (or pretence), pretext, rationale, rationalization, vindication,
whitewash; cop-out, out; acknowledgment (or acknowledgement), atonement, confession;
extenuation, palliation
4someone or something responsible for a result
what's the meteorological reason for tornadoes?
Synonyms antecedent, causality, causation, cause, occasion
Related Words consideration, determinant, factor; alpha and omega, be-all and end-all; impetus,
incentive, inspiration, instigation, stimulus; mother, origin, root, source, spring
Near Antonyms ramification; denouement (also dénouement), repercussion; conclusion, end; by-
product, side effect (also side reaction)
Antonyms aftereffect, aftermath, consequence, corollary, development, effect, fate, fruit, issue,
outcome, outgrowth, product, result, resultant, sequel, sequence, upshot
5the ability to learn and understand or to deal with problems
you'll need to use all of your reason to get out of this tight spot
Synonyms brain(s), brainpower, gray matter, headpiece, intellect, intellectuality, intelligence,

mentality, sense, smarts
Related Words eggheadedness, highbrowism, intellectualism; braininess, brilliance; acumen,

alertness, apprehension, astuteness, discernment, discriminability, insight, judgment (or judgement),
perception, percipience, perspicacity; common sense, horse sense, mother wit; aptitude, talent;
sagacity, sapience, wisdom, wit; head, mind, skull
5
Near Antonyms denseness, density, doltishness, dopiness, dullness (also dulness), dumbness, fatuity,
feeblemindedness, foolishness, half-wittedness, idiocy, imbecility, senselessness, simpleness,
slowness, stupidity
6the normal or healthy condition of the mental abilities
was afraid that with all the stress he was under, he'd lose all reason
Synonyms daylights, head, marbles, mind, saneness, sanity, wit(s)
Related Words rationality, reasonableness, sense; health, healthfulness, healthiness,

wholesomeness; clearheadedness, lucidity, lucidness, normalcy, normality, soundness; wisdom
Near Antonyms delusion, hallucination; delirium, frenzy, hysteria
Antonyms dementia, derangement, insanity, lunacy, madness, mania, unreason
7the thought processes that have been established as leading to valid solutions to problems
in a time of national crisis we need to listen to the voice of reason
Synonyms intellection, logic, ratiocination, reasoning, sense
Related Words cogency, coherence, logicality, logicalness, rationality, rationalness; convincingness,

persuasiveness; syllogism, synthesis; analysis, dissection; deduction, induction; argumentation,
disputation
Near Antonyms illogic, incoherence; absurdity, brainlessness, insanity, irrationality, nonsensicalness,

preposterousness, senselessness
inflected form(s): plural -s
1a: an expression or statement offered as an explanation of a belief or assertion or as a justification of an
act or procedure<gave reasons that were quite satisfactory>
b: a consideration, motive, or judgment inducing or confirming a belief, influencing the will, or leading to
an action or course of action : a rational ground or motive<will mention a reason for this
situation><the reason that this is so should now be clear><a good reason to act as you do><does not know
the reason why>
c: a sufficient ground of explanation or of logical defense especially : a general principle, law, or
warranted presumption that supports a conclusion, explains a fact, or validates a course of
conduct<brilliantly outlined the reasons that supported his client's action>
d: the thing that makes some fact intelligible : CAUSE<the reason for the tides lies in the gravitational pull
of the moon and the sun>
e: a sane or sound view or consideration<that's a reason that you should keep in mind>
2a(1) : the power of comprehending, inferring, or thinking especially in orderly, sensible, rational
ways<was afraid that his reason might be deranged><must use reason to solve this problem>: the ability
to trace out the implications of a combination of facts or suppositions<a reason that is far beyond her
years>
(2) : proper exercise of the intellective faculty in accordance with right judgment : right use of the
mind : right thinking<attempted to bring her to reason>
(3) : a sane or sound mind marked by the right use of the intellective faculty : reasonableness and sanity
of the mind<was afraid she would lose her reason>
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b(1) : a distinct cognitive faculty coordinate with perception and understanding : human intelligence or
intellect
(2) : the sum of the intellectual powers
(3) : universal or general rationality of all minds viewed as a whole
(4) : mind or intelligence viewed as a rational soul pervading the whole of nature or of the universe
c: NOUS, NOESIS<a transcendent ideal that only reason beyond experience can conceive — John Dewey>
dAristotelianism
(1) : the function of the soul that is pure actuality, operates on the material furnished by passive reason, is
immaterial and imperishable, and enjoys impersonal immortality
— called also active reason, creative reason
(2) : the function of the soul which operates with sensuous images and in which concepts are merely
potential so that they need to be formed by active reason
— called also passive reason
(3) : PRACTICAL REASON

eScholasticism
(1) : INTELLECT
(2) : RATIO
fKantianism & German idealism : the highest faculty of the mind especially when conceived of as the
faculty of framing general conceptions or of directly apprehending universals —distinguished
from understanding
3logic : PREMISE especially : MINOR PREMISE
4aarchaic : equitable or honorable treatment that affords satisfaction and that is prompted by the
demands of either propriety or justice
barchaic : a formal accounting
cobsolete : a reasonable amount or degree
in reason adverb
: with reason : JUSTIFIABLY, RIGHTLY<cannot in reason doubt that this must be done>
within reason adverb
: within reasonable limits<drinks and relaxes within reason>
with reason adverb
: with good cause : JUSTIFIABLY<have chosen to do so with reason>
To aver (tran)
tr.v. a·verred, a·ver·ring, a·vers

1. To affirm positively; declare: "Liberal politicians ... found it necessary to aver that they were in favor
of rigid economy in public spending too" (John Kenneth Galbraith).
2. Law To assert formally as a fact.
vb (tr) , avers, averring or averred

1. to state positively; assert
2. (Law) law to allege as a fact or prove to be true
7
averred; averred; aver·ring; avers
1obsolete : to acknowledge (a statement) as true
2archaic : to acknowledge the existence of : admit as valid or real
3a: AVOUCH, VERIFY
b: ASSERT, CLAIM, DECLARE
4: to affirm or declare in a positive confident manner : insist emphatically<he had proudly averred that he
needed no help>
1to state as a fact usually forcefully
was tearfully averring his innocence
Synonyms affirm, allege, assert, avouch, avow, claim, contend, declare, insist, maintain, profess,
averred that she didn't need any help choosing her own clothes
Synonyms affirm, assert, avouch, avow, declare, guarantee, lay down, profess
reassert
To affirm
unwilling to affirm without further study that the painting is an original Rembrandt
Synonyms allege, assert, aver, avouch, avow, claim, contend, declare, insist, maintain, profess,
8
our business partner affirmed his trust in us, and we in turn promised not to let him down
Synonyms assert, aver, avouch, avow, declare, guarantee, lay down, profess
reassert

nflected form(s): -ed/-ing/-s
transitive verb
1a: VALIDATE, CONFIRM<he was affirmed as a candidate>
b: to state positively or with confidence : declare as a fact : assert to be true<science has become too
complex to affirm the existence of universal truths — Henry Adams><we cannot affirm that this is the
later play — T. S. Eliot>—opposed to deny
c: to assert as valid or confirmed (as a judgment, decree, or order brought before an appellate court for
review) — compare MODIFY, REVERSE
d: to testify to or declare by affirmation —distinguished from swear
2: to show or express a strong belief in or dedication to (something, such as an important

idea)<laws affirming the racial equality of all people><The case that played out in Forsyth Superior Court
this week was one more reason to affirm life by doing whatever we can to end domestic
violence. — Winston-Salem Journal (North Carolina), 7 Aug. 2010><The movie ends by affirming family
values and a woman's right to work, at the same time decrying an obsessive work ethic that requires the
sacrifice of human values. — M. S. Mason, World Monitor, Feb. 1991>
intransitive verb
1a: to declare or assert positively<we must work and affirm, but we have no guess of the value of what we
say or do — R. W. Emerson>
b: to testify or declare by affirmation<a court ruling that atheists may affirm>
2: to uphold a judgment or decree of a lower court<the Court of Appeals affirmed — New York Certified
Public Accountant>
af·firm·er noun, plural af·firm·ers
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<This network of nearly 3,000 scientists … had to meticulously study the evidence even as affirmers and
deniers of global warming waged a furious debate. — Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2007>
Origin of AFFIRM
alteration (conformed to Latin affirmāre) of Middle English affermen "to fix firmly, make steadfast,
establish, confirm, assert," borrowed from Anglo-French afermer, affermer, going back to
Latin affirmāre "to strengthen, confirm, assert positively," from ad- AD- + firmāre "to strengthen,
fortify," derivative of firmus "strong, durable, 1FIRM"
To claim
people who claim that they have been kidnapped by aliens from other worlds
Synonyms affirm, allege, assert, aver, avouch, avow, contend, declare, insist, maintain, profess,
2to ask for (something) earnestly or with authority
after many years had passed, he suddenly appeared to claim his inheritance
Synonyms call (for), clamor (for), command, demand, enjoin, exact, insist (on), press (for), quest,
stipulate (for)
Related Words ask, plead (for), request, want; cry (for), necessitate, need, require, take, warrant;
requisition; impose; badger, dun, harass, hound
Near Antonyms give up, relinquish, surrender, yield
3to deprive of life
cancer claims hundreds of thousands of Americans each year
Synonyms carry off, croak [slang], destroy, dispatch, do in, fell, kill, slay, take
Related Words bump off, butcher, cut down, finish, get, ice [slang], knock off, murder, neutralize, off
[slang], put away, rub out, scrag, snuff, take out, waste, whack [slang]; annihilate, blot out, decimate,
kill off, massacre, mow, slaughter, smite; assassinate, execute, martyr, terminate; euthanize (also
euthanatize), put down; suicide
Synonymous Phrases do away with, do for [chiefly British], make away with
Near Antonyms raise, restore, resurrect, resuscitate, revive; nurture
Antonyms animate
10
4to have as a requirement
caring for her three small children claims virtually all of her time
Synonyms bear, challenge, demand, necessitate, need, require, take, want, warrant
Related Words entail, involve; ask, beg, clamor (for), cry (for); hurt (for), lack; command, enjoin,
exact, insist, press, quest, stipulate
Synonymous Phrases call for
Near Antonyms own, possess
Antonyms have, hold
transitive verb
1obsolete : NAME, ANNOUNCE, PROCLAIM
2a: to demand recognition of (as a title, distinction, possession, or power) especially as a right<the papal-
imperial partnership which claimed universal rule over all Christendom — W. K. Ferguson>also : to have
as a property or quality<each rhyme in the verse claims four lines><the small child claims the family red
hair>
b: to call for : REQUIRE<public health must claim everyone's attention>: demand especially as a
consequence<the plague claimed thousands of lives>
c: to cause the end of (someone's life) : TAKE<Authorities are still investigating an early Sunday morning
mobile home fire that claimed the life of a Hattiesburg man. — Jesse Bass, Hattiesburg (Mississippi)
American, 31 Dec. 2012>
3a(1) : to demand delivery or possession of by or as if by right<he went to claim their bags at the station>
(2) : BUY<claimed a fine horse after the race>
b: to recognize the fact of or assert often proudly the right to a close or special relationship with (as by
reason of birth, residence, common circumstances, or special affinity)<Paris can claim many significant
writers and artists><the city can claim the highest accident rate in 10 years>
4: to assert especially with conviction and in the face of possible contradiction or

doubt : MAINTAIN<claimed he saw a ghost><some people claim to see beauty in a puddle — Andrew
Buchanan>
5: to assert to be rightfully one's own<claimed responsibility for the attack>
intransitive verb
obsolete : to assert or establish a right or privilege
claim to fame
: the thing that someone or something is famous or well-known for<Von Glasersfeld's chief claim
to fame derives not from his abilities as a memoirist, however, but as a philosopher. — Joe
Kwiecinski, Montague (Massachusetts) Reporter, 23 Dec. 2009><We served breakfast, lunch and
dinner, but breakfast was the restaurant's main claim to fame. — Chinook Observer (Long Beach,
Washington), 27 Dec. 2012>
11
claim·able \ ˈkla-mə-bəl
\ adjective
<Physical items from safety deposit boxes are auctioned every 18 to 24 months … and the state
holds the money indefinitely in a claimable account. — Sarah D. Wire, Associated Press State &
Local Wire, 12 Feb. 2010>
Origin of CLAIM
Middle English claimen, from claim-, present indicative singular stem of Old French clamer, from
Latin clamare to cry out, call; akin to Latin calare to call, summon — more at LOW
To contend
1to engage in a contest
two traditional rivals contending for the championship
Synonyms battle, compete, face off, fight, race, rival, vie
Related Words challenge, engage, play; jockey, jostle, maneuver; go out, try out; train, work
contended that the senator's considerable experience made him the best candidate
Synonyms argue, assert, maintain, plead, reason
contended that his opponent was wrong about practically everything
Synonyms affirm, allege, assert, aver, avouch, avow, claim, declare, insist, maintain, profess, protest,
purport, warrant

intransitive verb
1: to strive or vie especially with determination and exertion in contest or rivalry or against difficulties,
exigencies, or failings<the Manichean theory of a good and an evil spirit contending on nearly equal
12
terms — W. R. Inge><the African Queen might soon be contending with difficulties of refueling — C. S.
Forester>
2: to strive in debate : engage in discussion : ARGUE<stubbornly contended for what he believed to be the
truth — H. E. Starr>
transitive verb
1: MAINTAIN, ASSERT, ARGUE<contending that literature must serve a moral function — C. I. Glicksberg>
2: to struggle for : CONTEST<she contended every point, objected to every request — Margaret Mead>
Origin of CONTEND
Middle French or Latin; Middle French contendre, from Latin contendere to stretch vigorously, to
strive, contend, from com- + tendere to stretch — more at TEND
First Known Use: 15th century (intransitive sense 1)
To declare
1to make known openly or publicly
she chose to declare her presidential aspirations at her college alma mater
Synonyms advertise, announce, annunciate, blare, blaze, blazon, broadcast, enunciate, flash, give
out, herald, placard, post, proclaim, promulgate, publicize, publish, release, sound, trumpet
Related Words bark, call (off or out), cry; bill, billboard, bulletin, gazette [chiefly British]; knell, ring,
toll; blurb, feature, pitch, plug, promote, puff; disseminate, spread; disclose, divulge, introduce, kithe
[chiefly Scottish], manifest, report, reveal, show; advise, apprise, hand down, inform, notify;
communicate, impart, intimate
Synonymous Phrases beat the drum (for or about), run with
Near Antonyms conceal, hush (up), silence, suppress, withhold; recall, recant, retract, revoke
she would declare her innocence to the whole world if she could
Synonyms affirm, allege, assert, aver, avouch, avow, claim, contend, insist, maintain, profess, protest,
purport, warrant
13
our guest enthusiastically declared that the pie was the best he had ever eaten
Synonyms affirm, assert, aver, avouch, avow, guarantee, lay down, profess
reassert
4to make known (something abstract) through outward signs
though she was silent, her expression declared her unwillingness to go along with the others
Synonyms bespeak, betray, communicate, demonstrate, display, evince, expose, give away, manifest,
reveal, show
Related Words bare, disclose, unbosom, uncloak, uncover; advertise, air, announce, blaze, broadcast,
placard, proclaim, publicize, sound, trumpet; project
Near Antonyms belie, misrepresent; distort, falsify, garble, twist; camouflage, disguise; gild, gloss
(over), varnish, whitewash; conceal, counterfeit, cover, hide, mask, obscure, occlude, veil
de·clared; de·claring; declares
transitive verb
1obsolete : to make clear : EXPLAIN, INTERPRET<I told this unto the magicians but there was none that
could declare it to me — Genesis 41:24 (Authorized Version)>
2: to make known publicly, formally, or explicitly especially by language<reaffirm on this wider basis the
truths which other writers … have already declared — Herbert Read>: announce, proclaim, or publish
especially by a formal statement or official pronouncement<we declared rubber a strategic and critical
material — W. R. Langdon><an armistice is called, peace is declared — Harrison Forman>: communicate
to others<here the results of research are presented, here the progress of knowledge is declared —
Bernard DeVoto>
3: to make evident or give evidence of : serve as a means of revealing : MANIFEST, SHOW<a glimpse of his
head in outline … declared his present state of mind — Osbert Sitwell>
4: to make a formal acknowledgment of<declare a trust>
5: to state emphatically<others declare that the rains on the mountain sides … caused the disaster — C. L.
Jones>: AFFIRM, ASSERT<happy the country that has no history, declares the proverb — E. H. Collis>
6a: to make a full statement of or about (property subject to tax or duty)
b: to name (a taxable or dutiable item) as being in one's possession or ownership
7: SCRATCH 6d
8in card games
a: to make a bid or announcement naming (a trump suit or no-trump)
b: to announce or show (scoring cards) : MELD
9of a cricket team : to announce (its current unfinished innings) closed forthwith
14
10: to make payable especially by vote of the directors of a corporation<declared an extra dividend for
the fourth quarter>
intransitive verb
1: to make a declaration<poetry … evokes rather than merely declares — C. S. Kilby>: such as
ain card games
(1) : CALL, BID
(2) : MELD
bof a cricket team : to declare its current unfinished innings closed forthwith
2: to make an open and explicit avowal (as of one's opinion or support) : announce or proclaim oneself —
often used with for or against<one of the first papers in New England to declare for Jackson — H. K.
Beale><declared against the ancient languages as the staple of American education — Howard M. Jones>
3: to announce one's intentions (as to run for political office)<Davis upset the local party apparatus
months ago when he declared for mayor … — Evansville (Indiana) Courier & Press, 3 May 2011>
declare oneself
1: to make known one's opinion : announce one's position
2: to make known one's existence, identity, or true character
3: to make a declaration of love
4: to register as a member of a political party
To maintain
to keep in good condition
he repairs and maintains antique cars as a hobby
Synonyms conserve, keep up, preserve, save
Related Words service; support, sustain; care (for), husband, manage; defend, guard, protect,
safeguard, screen, shield; cure, fix, heal, remedy; mend, patch, rebuild, reconstruct, rehabilitate,
rejuvenate, restore
Near Antonyms disregard, ignore, neglect; break, damage, destroy, harm, hurt, impair, injure, ruin,
wreck
2to continue to declare to be true or proper despite opposition or objections
part of debating is learning to maintain your position in the face of harsh challenges
Synonyms defend, justify, support, uphold
Related Words advocate, champion, espouse; confirm, vindicate, warrant; affirm, assert, aver,
avouch, avow, claim, contend, insist, plead, proclaim, profess, protest, state; argue, debate, discuss;
emphasize, stress, underline, underscore
Synonymous Phrases stand up for, stick up for
Near Antonyms abandon, abjure, forsake, recant, retract, take back, withdraw; reverse, switch;
controvert, disprove, rebut, refute
3to pay the living expenses of
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we simply cannot afford to maintain a horse
Synonyms keep, provide (for), support
Related Words finance, fund, patronize, set up, sponsor, stake, underwrite
Synonymous Phrases foot the bill (for), take care of
she continued to maintain that a sewing machine would end up paying for itself since she could
make her own clothes
Synonyms argue, assert, contend, plead, reason
he maintains that there is indeed hard evidence for extraterrestrial visitors
Synonyms affirm, allege, assert, aver, avouch, avow, claim, contend, declare, insist, profess, protest,
purport, warrant

1: to keep in a state of repair, efficiency, or validity : preserve from failure or decline<exercise … sufficient
to maintain bodily and mental vigor — H. G. Armstrong>
2a: to sustain against opposition or danger : back up : DEFEND, UPHOLD<only fast ironclad cruisers
could maintain the position of the Union against other naval powers — H. K. Beale>
b: to uphold in argument : contend for<maintains his logical position>
3: to persevere in : carry on : keep up : CONTINUE<members of the … tribe maintain native customs with
ceremonial dances — New York Times><the husband could be certain of maintaining a certain standard of
living — Saturday Review><in addition to maintaining his news schedule he served as a fire
warden — Current Biography>
4a: to provide for : bear the expense of : SUPPORT<the lady of beauty is maintained as the pampered wife of
a wealthy man — Lucy Crockett><two homes, with 145 beds, are maintained for the age and
indigent — Americana Annual>
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b: SUSTAIN<Most are gas giants on extreme orbits around stars that make them either scorching hot or far
too cold to maintain life as we know it. — Margaret Munro, The Gazette (Montreal, Quebec), 25 Apr. 2007>
5: to affirm in or as if in argument : ASSERT, DECLARE<maintained that this government was

untrustworthy — Collier's Year Book><was maintaining … that "modern society could hardly look
worse" — Saturday Review>
6: to assist (a party to legal action) so as to commit maintenance
Origin of MAINTAIN
Middle English mainteinen, maintenen, from Old French maintenir, from Medieval
Latin manutenēre, from Latin manu tenēre to know for certain, literally, to hold in the hand,
from manu (ablative of manus hand) + tenēre to hold — more at MANUAL, THIN
First Known Use: 14th century (sense 1)
To profess
to present a false appearance of
professed friendship while secretly plotting revenge
Synonyms act, affect, assume, bluff, counterfeit, dissemble, fake, feign, pass (for), pretend, put on,
sham, simulate
Related Words dissimulate, impersonate, let on, masquerade, play, playact, pose; forge, imitate;
camouflage, conceal, disguise, mask; feint; malinger
Synonymous Phrases make believe
the lonely woman professed her love in a series of letters to the soldier
Synonyms affirm, assert, aver, avouch, avow, declare, guarantee, lay down
reassert
he professed his innocence to anyone who would listen
Synonyms affirm, allege, assert, aver, avouch, avow, claim, contend, declare, insist, maintain, protest,
purport, warrant
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nflected form(s): -ed/-ing/-es
transitive verb
1a: to receive formally into membership in a religious community through the authorized acceptance of
the candidate's vows<the abbot professed three of the young monks><he was professed when 18 years
old>
b: to take (vows) as a member of a religious community or order
2a: to declare or admit openly or freely : acknowledge without

concealment : AFFIRM, CONFESS<professed great admiration for his scholarship — H. E. Starr><gave me a
copy of the book whose authorship he modestly professed — Sidney Lovett>
b: to declare or admit in words or appearances only : imply outwardly : aver

insincerely : PRETEND, PURPORT<they have become what they profess to scorn — W. L. Sullivan><doctrines
that profess to explain the human situation — D. W. Brogan>
3: to confess one's faith in or allegiance to : recognize or embrace as a belief : FOLLOW, PRACTICE<professes a

Protestant faith — Current Biography>
4a: to proclaim oneself versed in (as a calling) : practice the profession of
b: to teach as a professor<those learned intellectual historians … all profess literature — H. S. Commager>
intransitive verb
1a: to make a profession or one's profession
bobsolete : to profess friendship<he is dishonored by a man which ever professed to him — Shakespeare>
2: to follow the calling of professor
Origin of PROFESS
in sense 1, from Middle English professen, from profes, adjective, having professed one's vows,
from Old French, from Late Latin professus, from Latin, past participle of profitērī to profess,
confess, from pro- before + -fitērī (from fatērī to acknowledge, confess); in other senses, from
Latin professus, past participle of profitērī — more at PRO-, CONFESS
First Known Use: 14th century (transitive sense 1a)
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7jan2024 - Verbs

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7Jan2024 – Verbs meaning to declare or profess

tr.v. a·vowed, a·vow·ing, a·vows

to state as a fact usually forcefully

Synonymous Phrases put forth

Antonyms deny, gainsay

2to state clearly and strongly

avowed their undying love for each other

Near Antonyms minimize, understate; disregard, ignore, neglect, overlook

inflected form(s): -ed/-ing/-s

to accept the truth or existence of (something) usually reluctantly

finally had to acknowledge that she'd outgrown her favorite jacket

Synonymous Phrases come clean (about)

rea·soned; reasoned; rea·son·ing; rea·sons

1to form an opinion or reach a conclusion through reasoning and information

Synonymous Phrases draw a conclusion

2to state (something) as a reason in support of or against something under consideration

Synonyms argue, assert, contend, maintain, plead

she gave a good reason for her seemingly suspicious behavior

Synonyms account, accounting, argument, case, explanation, rationale

Synonyms account, authority, grounds, motive, subject, wherefore, why

Related Words antecedent, cause, consideration, impetus, incentive, inspiration, instigation,

3an explanation that frees one from fault or blame

what reason do you have for being in such a bad mood?

Synonyms alibi, apology, defense, excuse, justification, plea

4someone or something responsible for a result

what's the meteorological reason for tornadoes?

Synonyms antecedent, causality, causation, cause, occasion

5the ability to learn and understand or to deal with problems

Synonyms brain(s), brainpower, gray matter, headpiece, intellect, intellectuality, intelligence,

Related Words eggheadedness, highbrowism, intellectualism; braininess, brilliance; acumen,

6the normal or healthy condition of the mental abilities

Synonyms daylights, head, marbles, mind, saneness, sanity, wit(s)

Related Words rationality, reasonableness, sense; health, healthfulness, healthiness,

Near Antonyms delusion, hallucination; delirium, frenzy, hysteria

Antonyms dementia, derangement, insanity, lunacy, madness, mania, unreason

in a time of national crisis we need to listen to the voice of reason

Synonyms intellection, logic, ratiocination, reasoning, sense

Related Words cogency, coherence, logicality, logicalness, rationality, rationalness; convincingness,

Near Antonyms illogic, incoherence; absurdity, brainlessness, insanity, irrationality, nonsensicalness,

(3) : PRACTICAL REASON

tr.v. a·verred, a·ver·ring, a·vers

vb (tr) , avers, averring or averred

1to state as a fact usually forcefully

was tearfully averring his innocence

Synonymous Phrases put forth

Antonyms deny, gainsay

2to state clearly and strongly

Near Antonyms minimize, understate; disregard, ignore, neglect, overlook

Synonymous Phrases put forth

Antonyms deny, gainsay

2to state clearly and strongly

Near Antonyms minimize, understate; disregard, ignore, neglect, overlook

d: to testify to or declare by affirmation —distinguished from swear

2: to show or express a strong belief in or dedication to (something, such as an important

b: to testify or declare by affirmation<a court ruling that atheists may affirm>

Synonymous Phrases put forth

Antonyms deny, gainsay

2to ask for (something) earnestly or with authority

Near Antonyms give up, relinquish, surrender, yield

3to deprive of life

cancer claims hundreds of thousands of Americans each year

Near Antonyms raise, restore, resurrect, resuscitate, revive; nurture