PROMISE (5 letters) The crossword solutions for the term STATE SOLEMNLY are AVOW and PROMISE. AVOW is a verb meaning to declare or affirm something openly and firmly, often in a solemn or formal manner. PROMISE is a noun meaning a declaration or assurance that one will do a particular thing or that a particular thing will happen. State solemnly is an expression used to emphasize the seriousness of a statement or PROMISE.