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 Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland acknowledges the crowd after finishing his round on the 18th green during day four of The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club on July 20, 2025 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 July 2025 First, though, the developer will need to win the tax credit awards, which everyone acknowledges is not a given. Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 July 2025 Garrix, who performed at Tomorrowland, was the first to acknowledge Metallica’s involvement in saving the festival. Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 19 July 2025 At this point, the most scientists can hope for is that the US legal system ultimately acknowledges that the decision to cut their funding runs afoul of these congressional directives. ArsTechnica, 9 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for acknowledge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acknowledge
Verb
  • Foyt admitted that was another factor in waiting to put Ferrucci back in another car on Sunday.
    Bruce Martin, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
  • Since the 2024 election, Klobuchar admitted that the party would have benefited from an open primary last summer, as well.
    Jenny Goldsberry, The Washington Examiner, 20 July 2025
Verb
  • Court documents state that Adams confessed to officers.
    Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 25 July 2025
  • Gein, who lived in the rural Wisconsin community of Plainfield, confessed in 1957 to killing two local women and to digging up bodies from graveyards and using body parts and skin to make everything from trophies to lampshades.
    Chris Foran, jsonline.com, 24 July 2025
Verb
  • Family members conceded that the trial was very tolling and difficult on them.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 14 July 2025
  • Spending that much wasn’t necessary, of course, and Varas concedes some of the features could have been downgraded.
    Denise Hruby Updated July 13, Miami Herald, 13 July 2025
Verb
  • And many people who study emergency response agree that, to some degree, the agency needs reform.
    Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 15 July 2025
  • Everyone agreed that the transformation was natural and good.
    Brian Park, New Yorker, 15 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Acknowledge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acknowledge. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on acknowledge

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