acknowledge

verb

ac·knowl·edge | \ik-ˈnä-lij,

ak-\

acknowledged; acknowledging

Definition of acknowledge

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.

3a : 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 & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about acknowledge

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Synonyms & Antonyms for acknowledge

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

deny

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

So bravo New Zealand, for championing this right 125 years ago—for the women who well deserve to have an active voice and acknowledged vote, and for all of the people that this effort has paved the way for globally. — Rachel Epstein, Marie Claire, "Meghan Markle Explains What Feminism Means to Her During an Empowering Speech," 29 Oct. 2018 So bravo New Zealand, for championing this right 125 years ago—for the women who well deserve to have an active voice and acknowledged vote, and for all of the people that this effort has paved the way for globally. — Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, "Meghan Markle Just Gave a Powerful Speech About Feminism in New Zealand," 28 Oct. 2018 Its nascent Twitter account, too, uses a line of attack centered on greed and price gouging, but does not acknowledge the site’s ties to the campaign. — Lev Facher, STAT, "Read the fine print: N.J. senator sets up phony health news website to attack challenger Bob Hugin," 13 July 2018 Instead, the Emmys should learn from previous snubs and acknowledge women like Maslany and Comer who do their jobs up to 12 times over. — Kathryn Lindsay, refinery29.com, "Sandra Oh Just Made History For Killing Eve, But The Emmys Forgot One Thing," 12 July 2018 This award acknowledges that Green Township paramedics have demonstrated excellence in being part of that life-saving care team. — Jennie Key, Cincinnati.com, "City wins appeal in public records lawsuit," 12 July 2018 Critics say Trump has not acknowledged how the U.S. derives significant benefits when NATO countries join U.S.-led military operations abroad, or host U.S. troops, planes and warships at bases on their territory. — David S. Cloud, latimes.com, "Here's what you need to know about Trump's complaints to NATO allies about defense spending," 11 July 2018 Supporters of Starbucks’ plan acknowledge it’s not a perfect solution. — Emily Atkin, The New Republic, "Why Starbucks’ Straw Ban Is an Environmental Milestone," 10 July 2018 The Taliban did not claim responsibility for the attack, but acknowledged it in a message on its official Telegram channel. — Dennis Romero And Reuters /, NBC News, "U.S. service member killed, 2 wounded in 'insider attack' in Afghanistan," 8 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'acknowledge.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near acknowledge

Statistics for acknowledge

Last Updated

20 Nov 2018

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for acknowledge

The first known use of acknowledge was in the 15th century

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More Definitions for acknowledge

acknowledge

verb

English Language Learners Definition of acknowledge

: to say that you accept or do not deny the truth or existence of (something)

: to regard or describe (someone or something) as having or deserving a particular status

: to tell or show someone that something (such as a letter or message) has been received

See the full definition for acknowledge in the English Language Learners Dictionary

acknowledge

verb

ac·knowl·edge | \ik-ˈnä-lij,

ak-\

acknowledged; acknowledging

Kids Definition of acknowledge

1 : to admit the truth or existence of They acknowledged their mistake.

2 : to make known that something has been received or noticed He refuses to acknowledge my generosity.

3 : to recognize the rights or authority of They acknowledged her as captain.

4 : to express thanks or appreciation for acknowledge a gift

acknowledge

transitive verb

ac·knowl·edge

acknowledged; acknowledging

Legal Definition of acknowledge

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)

2a : 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