Synonyms of acknowledge

acknowledge

verb

ik-ˈnä-lij 

as in to admit

to accept the truth or existence of (something) usually reluctantly

finally had to acknowledge that she'd outgrown her favorite jacket

Synonyms & Similar Words

• admit
• confess
• concede
• agree
• recognize
• announce
• grant
• disclose
• allow
• reveal
• accept
• own (up to)
• confirm
• tell
• affirm
• say
• declare
• fess (up)
• come clean (about)
• proclaim
• profess
• inform
• publish
• communicate
• unload
• warn
• divulge
• avow
• talk
• expose
• impart
• yield
• betray
• spill
• unburden
• broadcast
• whisper
• tip (off)
• disburden
• unveil
• breathe
• give away
• wise (up)
• leak
• blab
• break
• tattle
• squeal
• rat

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deny
• disclaim
• contradict
• reject
• negative
• disallow
• negate
• dispute
• refute
• disavow
• repudiate
• hide
• rebut
• cover (up)
• conceal
• disown
• veil
• obscure
• gainsay
• kid (oneself)

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

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