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

And acquiescence can be contagious. —Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 20 Jan. 2026

Even if clemency led the White House to dial back the ongoing efforts to punish Colorado, acquiescence today only invites future harassment. —Max Potter, Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2026

With Davis’ uneasy acquiescence, Eric reconnected with the second of his adulterous lovers, a woman with whom his wife (unsurprisingly) never got along. —Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2026

Passage of this resolution was tantamount to acquiescence by Congress, granting the president the authority to respond militarily by sending thousands of troops to fight in Vietnam. —Richard Cherwitz, Sun Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026

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