acquiesce

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 Despite McGuire acquiescing to reader’s preconceptions of the witch, the mysterious flying broom was not a central item in Elphaba’s initial rejection of the Wizard’s autocratic reign. Time, 21 Nov. 2025 But, after a little insistence that anything is possible if given enough time, Meloni acquiesces. Alex Ross, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025 Heller ultimately acquiesced and agreed to assist Hudson for one year. Angelique Jackson, Variety, 29 Oct. 2025 Jason was skeptical but acquiesced. Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for acquiesce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acquiesce
Verb
  • But even proponents of the efforts to tackle nutrition concerns don't agree on which foods to target.
    Alan Greenblatt, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
  • If nothing changes, the Hispanic arts industry in Arkansas could be threatened, both musicians agreed.
    Juan Cordoba, Arkansas Online, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • China has built Russia’s defense industrial base, helped Iran provide Russia with one-way attack uncrewed aerial vehicles, and assented as North Korea has sent troops to fight in Europe.
    Kurt M. Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 10 Apr. 2025
  • His representatives soon assented to de Moraes’s orders, including taking down the offending accounts and paying the fines.
    Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
    Christopher Harris, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Bastian had to consent to the conditioning stint.
    SportsDay Staff, Dallas Morning News, 5 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • If the United States had remained its only option, India might have had no choice but to accede to these demands after the war, but the growing Sino-Soviet split ensured that Moscow again wanted to work with India.
    Tanvi Madan, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
  • Juan Carlos acceded to the Spanish throne in 1975.
    Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Acquiesce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acquiesce. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.

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