Definition of acquiescenext

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

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 acquiesce Lidia told me that at least half the women in her unit eventually acquiesced. Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 13 July 2026 Quick POCs and pretty dashboards then get business leaders to acquiesce to an AI project. Steve Banker, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026 Some employers, including those who have been anti-remote in the past, are starting to acquiesce to employees’ requests for more work from home opportunities as a result of this summer’s events. Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 9 July 2026 It is intended to pressure union members into acquiescing to management’s demands. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for acquiesce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acquiesce
Verb
  • Many agree that the surge in data centers, not Illinois clean energy law, is the primary cause of skyrocketing power prices across power grid operator PJM’s 13-state footprint.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The Carolina Panthers and tight end Darren Waller have agreed to a one-year free-agent deal, a league source confirmed to The Athletic on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak about a player’s contract.
    Joseph Person, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • False endorsement and misappropriation, FanDuel could insist, are inapplicable to a personalized video setting where the video’s talent voluntarily assents in exchange for compensation.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 14 July 2026
  • Their mothers assented because anything the cousins did together could be considered family time.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • View gallery - 3 images At a recent doctor's appointment, I was asked to consent to an artificial intelligence assistant listening to my consultation.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Consumers may consent to receive marketing calls, for example by checking a consent box on a form.
    ABC News, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • When Queen Elizabeth acceded to the throne in 1952 upon the death of her father, King George VI, Winston Churchill was the British prime minister.
    Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 22 June 2026
  • But while the union asked for voluntary recognition, the company did not accede to that request.
    Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Acquiesce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acquiesce. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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