avouch
/ə'vautʃ/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To admit openly and bluntly; to make no bones about: To state or acknowledge something frankly and without hesitation or evasion.
- To affirm or assert positively; to vouch for: To declare something as a fact with confidence and authority, often assuming responsibility for its truth.
Examples of Usage
- Verb:
- He avouched his responsibility for the error during the meeting. (He openly admitted his responsibility for the error.)
- The witness avouched that she had seen the defendant at the scene. (The witness affirmed positively that she had seen the defendant.)
- She avouched her belief in the project's success, despite the setbacks. (She bluntly stated her continued belief in its success.)
Advanced Usage
- "To avouch for": To give a personal guarantee or assurance for someone or something. (Note: This is a specific phrasal construction.)
- I can avouch for his integrity; he is a completely honest man. (I can personally guarantee his honesty.)
Variants and Related Words
- Avouchment (noun): A formal or positive declaration or assertion.
- His avouchment of the facts was crucial to the case.
Synonyms
- Assert: To state a fact or belief confidently and forcefully.
- Declare: To say something in a solemn and emphatic manner.
- Acknowledge: To accept or admit the existence or truth of something.
- Profess: To claim openly, often a feeling or belief.
- Aver: To state or assert to be the case.
Antonyms
- Deny: To state that something is not true.
- Gainsay: To deny or contradict.
- Disavow: To deny any responsibility or support for.
Related Phrases and Usage Notes
- "Make no bones about": This idiom is a close synonym for the primary meaning of "avouch," meaning to be direct and unapologetic about something.
- He made no bones about his dislike for the new policy. (He openly avouched his dislike.)
- Usage Note: "Avouch" is a formal and somewhat archaic verb. In modern English, "assert," "declare," or "affirm" are more commonly used. "Avouch" often carries a connotation of personal guarantee or solemn affirmation.
Verb
- admit openly and bluntly; make no bones about