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

And Charles Lewis, a philanthropist who has acknowledged supporting the group, lives in another lakefront mansion a few blocks north. — Blair Kamin, chicagotribune.com, "Evanston plan to demolish Harley Clarke mansion: Public vision or hidden agendas?," 13 July 2018 Even non-traditional tech companies like Tesla want in on this area, with CEO Elon Musk acknowledging last year that former AMD and Apple chip engineer Jim Keller would be building hardware for the car company. — Andy Patrizio, Ars Technica, "The AI revolution has spawned a new chips arms race," 9 July 2018 At the same time, Navy and Marine Corps leaders are quick to acknowledge that there is a massive shortfall of Amphibious Assault Ships across the two services. — Kris Osborn, Fox News, "Navy pushes for more amphibious assault ships," 13 July 2018 Last year, the company was forced to acknowledge that 3.6 billion barrels of reserves in Canada—from an oil sands project that cost more than $20 billion—were no longer profitable to produce. — Bradley Olson, WSJ, "Exxon, Once a ‘Perfect Machine,’ Is Running Dry," 13 July 2018 The television being made in this country right now is so wonderful, to be acknowledged by those people…is just a dream come true. — Makeda Easter, latimes.com, "'Stranger Things' star David Harbour celebrated his Emmy nomination with a waffle, plans to spend time with his puppy," 12 July 2018 There is undeniable luck and privilege in being able to shape one's own story as a single woman, as MacNicol is careful to acknowledge. — Joanna Scutts, chicagotribune.com, "Childless, single, 40: Why is it a problem?," 12 July 2018 Throughout his two terms as governor, Scott has been unwilling to acknowledge climate change as a threat to the state. — Amy Green, miamiherald, "With Gov. Scott and legislature in denial, tiny town adapts on its own to climate change," 11 July 2018 McHugh, the school social worker, recalls asking administrators to acknowledge the arrests and provide employees with guidance. — Nomaan Merchant, Cincinnati.com, "Hunger, fear, desperation: What came of an ordinary ICE raid in Covington," 9 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

11 Sep 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