Synonyms of acquiesce

acquiesce

verb

ˌa-kwē-ˈes 

as in to agree

to give or express one's approval (as to a proposal)

apparently the contractor expected me to acquiesce to my own fleecing

Synonyms & Similar Words

• agree
• assent
• consent
• accede
• submit
• subscribe
• succumb
• adopt
• come round
• tolerate
• abide
• embrace
• endure
• suffer
• stand
• espouse
• bear (with)
• swallow
• bow
• yield
• take
• relent
• stomach
• knuckle under

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dissent
• refuse
• reject
• deny
• scorn
• spurn
• rebuff
• gainsay

Synonym Chooser

How is the word acquiesce distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of acquiesce are accede, agree, assent, consent, and subscribe. While all these words mean "to concur with what has been proposed," acquiesce implies tacit acceptance or forbearance of opposition.

acquiesced to his boss's wishes

When is it sensible to use accede instead of acquiesce?

The words accede and acquiesce can be used in similar contexts, but accede implies a yielding, often under pressure, of assent or consent.

officials acceded to the prisoners' demands

When would agree be a good substitute for acquiesce?

Although the words agree and acquiesce have much in common, agree sometimes implies previous difference of opinion or attempts at persuasion.

finally agreed to come along

When could assent be used to replace acquiesce?

The meanings of assent and acquiesce largely overlap; however, assent implies an act involving the understanding or judgment and applies to propositions or opinions.

voters assented to the proposal

When is consent a more appropriate choice than acquiesce?

While the synonyms consent and acquiesce are close in meaning, consent involves the will or feelings and indicates compliance with what is requested or desired.

consented to their daughter's going

When can subscribe be used instead of acquiesce?

While in some cases nearly identical to acquiesce, subscribe implies not only consent or assent but hearty approval and active support.

subscribes wholeheartedly to the idea

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of acquiesce

The Clintons previously objected to testifying before Congress about their ties to the late financier, but ultimately acquiesced to Comer’s subpoena. —David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026

The university acquiesced to the demands last year to restore its grant funding. —Doha Madani, NBC news, 26 Feb. 2026

Village attorneys also blame its former insurers, and wrote in court filings that forcing the village to acquiesce would have devastating financial effects on residents. —Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026

But Dearing refused to acquiesce despite the public pressure, according to the Piedmont Historical Society. —Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 17 Feb. 2026

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!