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
• confess
• concede
• agree

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

Be transparent about the mistake, acknowledge your role, and offer support to help the team recover. —Julia Sullivan, USA Today, 21 July 2025

The appeals court acknowledged this in its recent rulings. —Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025

The Bureau of Reclamation and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife acknowledged that the current fish ladders weren't built to accommodate large salmon and other migrating fish. —Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 21 July 2025

Intelligence community experts acknowledge that Russian hacking targeting election infrastructure was likely limited and aimed at gathering intelligence. —Jenna McLaughlin, NPR, 21 July 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