acknowledge

verb

ac·​knowl·​edge ik-ˈnä-lij 

ak-

acknowledged; acknowledging

transitive verb

1

: to recognize the rights, authority, or status of

They acknowledged him as their leader.

2

: to disclose knowledge of or agreement with

She readily acknowledged her mistake.

3

a

: to express gratitude or obligation for

acknowledge a gift

b

: to take notice of

failed to acknowledge my greeting

c

: to make known the receipt of

acknowledge a letter

4

: to recognize as genuine or valid

acknowledge a debt

Synonyms

• admit
• agree
• allow
• concede
• confess
• fess (up)
• grant
• own (up to)

Choose the Right Synonym for acknowledge

acknowledge, admit, own, avow, confess mean to disclose against one's will or inclination.

acknowledge implies the disclosing of something that has been or might be concealed.

acknowledged an earlier peccadillo

admit implies reluctance to disclose, grant, or concede and refers usually to facts rather than their implications.

admitted the project was over budget

own implies acknowledging something in close relation to oneself.

must own I know little about computers

avow implies boldly declaring, often in the face of hostility, what one might be expected to be silent about.

avowed that he was a revolutionary

confess may apply to an admission of a weakness, failure, omission, or guilt.

confessed a weakness for sweets

Examples of acknowledge in a Sentence

They acknowledged that the decision was a mistake.

Do you acknowledge that you caused this mess?

They readily acknowledged their mistake.

She won't acknowledge responsibility for her actions.

He quickly acknowledges all of my e-mails when he receives them.

Please acknowledge receipt of this letter.

She acknowledged the gift with a card.

She acknowledged his greeting with a smile.

Recent Examples on the Web

Without mentioning Means by name, Adams outlined his position in a May 22 post on X. Adams acknowledged that no explicit federal law mandates the surgeon general be a licensed physician. —Joey Garrison, USA Today, 23 May 2025

He is widely acknowledged as the Warriors’ key defender, renowned for his on-court communication with teammates and his ability to predict opponents’ tendencies several steps ahead of time. —Josh Robbins, New York Times, 22 May 2025

Lindsay acknowledged that the situation hadn’t been ideal for her. —Dana Rose Falcone, People.com, 22 May 2025

While acknowledging that being relegated to the sideline has been difficult, Eyasu said he was encouraged by a text from cousin Jacob, who won a national championship in 2016 at North Carolina with Eyasu’s older brother duo of Patrick and Timmy. —Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 22 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

ac- (in acknow "to confess knowledge of," going back to Middle English aknowen, going back to Old English oncnāwan, acnāwan "to know, recognize, admit, confess," from a-, on-, prefixal use of on on entry 1 + cnāwan "to know entry 1") + knowledge

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for acknowledge

• precollege
• college
• haulage
• knowledge
• foreknowledge

Kids Definition

acknowledge

verb

ac·​knowl·​edge ik-ˈnäl-ij 

ak-

acknowledged; acknowledging

1

: to recognize the rights or authority of

2

: to admit the truth or existence of

3

: to make known that something has been received or noticed

acknowledge a letter

Legal Definition

acknowledge

transitive verb

ac·​knowl·​edge

acknowledged; acknowledging

1

: to indicate recognition and acceptance of

the power of taxation in the general and state governments is acknowledged to be concurrent

—McCulloch v. Maryland, 17 U.S. 316 (1819)

2

a

: to show by word or act that one has knowledge of and accepts responsibility for (a duty, obligation, or indebtedness)

b

: to admit paternity of

will acknowledge the child as his

compare filiate

3

: 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 receipt of a letter

4

: to recognize as genuine so as to give validity : avow or admit in legal form

the execution of any such power of attorney shall be acknowledged before one of the officers

—U.S. Code