acknowledge

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb acknowledge contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of acknowledge are admit, avow, confess, and own. While all these words 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

When is it sensible to use admit instead of acknowledge?

While in some cases nearly identical to acknowledge, admit implies reluctance to disclose, grant, or concede and refers usually to facts rather than their implications.

admitted the project was over budget

When could avow be used to replace acknowledge?

Although the words avow and acknowledge have much in common, 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

In what contexts can confess take the place of acknowledge?

The words confess and acknowledge are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, confess may apply to an admission of a weakness, failure, omission, or guilt.

confessed a weakness for sweets

When is own a more appropriate choice than acknowledge?

The words own and acknowledge can be used in similar contexts, but own implies acknowledging something in close relation to oneself.

must own I know little about computers

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 acknowledge The Sheriff’s Office later acknowledged the error but offered no explanation. Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2025 McLaren acknowledged and called in Piastri first, replacing the mediums on his MCL39 for soft compound tires. Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025 Vogel also advocated for the passage of legislation that eventually acknowledged the injustice of the exile and imprisonment and provided a payment of $20,000 to Japanese American camp survivors. Arkansas Online, 6 Sep. 2025 The president of the United States signs the joint resolution and the territory is acknowledged as a state. Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 6 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for acknowledge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acknowledge
Verb
  • One Amazon shopper admitted that the affordable piece exceeded their expectations and is versatile enough to pair with almost anything.
    Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025
  • There, the woman said she and her husband were told to stand in a hallway after they were admitted.
    Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Go Hasegawa, who is in the process of designing one of the property’s 13 vacation homes, confesses that having complete creative control has instead been a source of stress.
    Siobhan Reid, Robb Report, 7 Sep. 2025
  • When Harry confessed that the newlyweds’ romance was inspiring to him in his own dating life, Kate reportedly cried.
    Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Executives concede that Toronto isn’t attracting the kind of wall-to-wall media attention that Cannes and Venice deliver.
    Brent Lang, Variety, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Baker ended up with the worst figures for an English debutant, conceding 76 runs from seven overs.
    Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Later, Howard calls Matt and agrees to cut the sequence but also threatens to destroy him.
    Carson Blackwelder, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
  • According to documents from the vote, PS agreed to a 20-year contract with the county.
    Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Acknowledge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acknowledge. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on acknowledge

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