acceptance

noun

Definition of acceptancenext
1
as in obedience
a readiness or willingness to accept or adapt to a given circumstance She eventually reached an acceptance of her mother's sometimes challenging eccentricities.

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2
as in approval
permission given to do something They had a fancy dinner to celebrate his acceptance to Columbia University.

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of acceptance Furniture acceptance is at the store’s discretion, so donors should call ahead. — Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 30 July 2026 What the 78% overall rate means The 78% acceptance rate reflects the percentage of California residents who applied for first-year admission and were admitted to any of the nine campuses, not necessarily their first choice. — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026 This time around, instead of getting an acceptance right away, the founding team received an email from Michael Seibel, Y Combinator’s CEO at the time. — Partner Content, Variety, 28 July 2026 Hollins reports that in his second year on the Patriots roster, his life habit of walking everywhere in his bare feet has gained acceptance locally. — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for acceptance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acceptance
  1. obedience
  2. approval
  3. acquiescence
  4. accreditation
  5. compliance
  6. agreement
  7. submissiveness
  8. confirmation
Noun
  • In China, Xi is trying to bend technology toward obedience and growth.
    — Evan Osnos, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Catherine Coldstream entered a Carmelite monastery at age 24, and lived a life of prayer and obedience for 12 years.
    — Terry Gross, NPR, 24 July 2026
Definition of obedience
Noun
  • Community colleges that want to offer non-credit classes are able to move especially fast, because the approval process is less cumbersome.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Government support can improve access to financing and, of course, accelerate approvals, which will give customers greater confidence that nuclear power will remain part of long-term energy policy.
    — Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of approval
Noun
  • With Taiwan’s 2028 elections approaching, sustained American support strengthens voices favoring self-defense over acquiescence to Beijing.
    — Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
  • In any case, the Biden Administration’s grudging acquiescence now looks like the beginning of a pattern of credulous capitulation.
    — David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
Definition of acquiescence
Noun
  • The announcement follows similar action taken by workers at various branches of the V&A Museum in London, who voted to strike over pay, working conditions, and the institution’s refusal to seek living wage accreditation.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The 59-year-old zoo, which occupies 133 acres in the northeast corner of Griffith Park, has also struggled to maintain its national accreditation, with federal regulators finding peeling paint and rust in some exhibits.
    — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026
Definition of accreditation
Noun
  • Homes can be visually inspected for compliance from the outside, and enclosing the ground level area for living space after the home is constructed and approved for occupancy would draw a reverse work order.
    — Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The capability enterprises fear most becomes a compliance obligation.
    — Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of compliance
Noun
  • The agreement between the three US allies comes as Saudi Arabia faces threats on multiple fronts and would compel each country to intervene if another is attacked, much like the pact between NATO nations.
    — Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Williams also wanted to understand the agreement between the property owner and residents to help find suitable housing.
    — Emily McLeod, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of agreement
Noun
  • Attraction is a function of parentage and looks and submissiveness.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 May 2026
  • But for Coles, his indoctrination to law enforcement has been a different level of submissiveness.
    — Dan Pompei, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025
Definition of submissiveness
Noun
  • Language on that page was later tweaked by HHS to ensure US Senate support for Schwartz’s confirmation.
    — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Lee believes that Blanche's ongoing fight to earn confirmation in Washington also played a role.
    — Conor Wight, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of confirmation

Browse Nearby Words

acceptably
acceptance
acceptances
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Cite this Entry

“Acceptance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acceptance. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on acceptance

Nglish: Translation of acceptance for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about acceptance

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