acquiescence

noun

ac·​qui·​es·​cence ˌa-kwē-ˈe-sᵊn(t)s 

1

: the act or action of acquiescing

—often used with to

his acquiescence to their demands

2

: the quality or state of being acquiescent : passive assent or submission

an attitude of acquiescence

Synonyms of acquiescence

• obedience
• assent
• deference
• submissiveness
• docility

Examples of acquiescence in a Sentence

good manners demanded our cheerful acquiescence to our host's plans for dinner

Recent Examples on the Web

Any group decision comes with a degree of acquiescence and a leap of faith. —David Merritt Johns, The Atlantic, 2 Nov. 2025

Would-be autocrats create environments of fear and powerlessness, using intimidation, overwhelming force or political and legal attacks, and other coercive tactics to force acquiescence and chill democratic pushback. —Shelley Inglis, The Conversation, 19 Oct. 2025

Yet, the lesson of the Voting Rights Act is that the response to these setbacks isn’t despair or acquiescence. —Time, 12 Sep. 2025

Perhaps the most disturbing aspect of this revenge is the acquiescence of his support base and the GOP representatives to the raw hatred unleashed by our Emir of Evil. —Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 2 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, from acquiescer "to acquiesce" + -ence -ence

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for acquiescence

• adolescence
• coalescence
• convalescence
• effervescence
• efflorescence
• evanescence
• incandescence
• inflorescence
• iridescence
• luminescence
• obsolescence
• opalescence