Definition of assentnext

assent

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word assent distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of assent are accede, acquiesce, agree, consent, and subscribe. While all these words mean "to concur with what has been proposed," assent implies an act involving the understanding or judgment and applies to propositions or opinions.

voters assented to the proposal

When might accede be a better fit than assent?

The meanings of accede and assent largely overlap; however, accede implies a yielding, often under pressure, of assent or consent.

officials acceded to the prisoners' demands

When is acquiesce a more appropriate choice than assent?

While in some cases nearly identical to assent, acquiesce implies tacit acceptance or forbearance of opposition.

acquiesced to his boss's wishes

When would agree be a good substitute for assent?

The synonyms agree and assent are sometimes interchangeable, but agree sometimes implies previous difference of opinion or attempts at persuasion.

finally agreed to come along

In what contexts can consent take the place of assent?

In some situations, the words consent and assent are roughly equivalent. However, 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 assent?

While the synonyms subscribe and assent are close in meaning, 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 assent
Verb
Her mother reluctantly assented, so long as Carol went with her. — Jonathan Franzen, New Yorker, 1 June 2026 Switzerland voted to enshrine the availability of cash in its constitution, assenting to a push designed to guard against the demise of physical money. — Bastian Benrath-Wright, Bloomberg, 8 Mar. 2026
Noun
Rhaenyra continues to fumble her assent to the Iron Throne while Daemon pushes for more aggressive tactics to answer their enemy’s assaults. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026 Even in hardboiled Hadestown, that would probably get a murmur of assent. — Chris Willman, Variety, 25 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for assent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assent
Verb
  • While a handful of less-influential militias have agreed to turn over their weapons, powerful groups close to Iran rejected the prospect or set conditions for disarming that the government would be unlikely to meet.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 1 Oct. 2026
  • After the Black Lives Matter marches of 2020, the NYPD agreed to prohibit the technique as part of a federal class action settlement.
    — Sophie Landres, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Their acquiescence to this encroachment on their powers has made these politicians increasingly dependent on a dysfunctional national government.
    — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 14 Sep. 2026
  • But many assumptions that Stratos’ investors or Utah politicians might have had about Box Elder County – about either the acquiescence of its people or the barrenness of its landscape – have been proved wrong over the past few months.
    — Melanie Stetson Freeman, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Patients also normally have to consent to their information being used for research.
    — Brittany Trang, STAT, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Back to basics on The Daily Show Not to wax nostalgic, but back in my day, The Daily Show was mostly a cavalcade of weirdos consenting to be filmed while comedians played right in their face.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • At this point, ahead of the 2018 midterms, where Republicans lost 40 seats in the House, that approval number was 49 percent.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
  • The project, and any accompanying incentives, will still need approval from the City Council at a later date.
    — Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Starz did indeed go dark for Verizon Fios subscribers on Wednesday night, as both sides failed to come to a carriage agreement.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The project, which would revamp how visitors enter the White House grounds, is one Trump construction effort that has drawn wide agreement.
    — Dan Diamond, Washington Post, 1 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Micron is currently restricted from conducting a large-scale buyback due to its acceptance of CHIPS Act grants.
    — Zev Fima,Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Winchester The fastest way for a new cartridge to gain widespread acceptance with the shooting public is for the military to adopt it.
    — John B. Snow, Outdoor Life, 24 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Kennedy's testimony to lawmakers during his confirmation hearing has come under scrutiny before.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Melissa Brandenburg, of Sangamon County, will succeed Jim Montgomery, pending Senate confirmation, according to the governor’s office.
    — Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • At the United Nations, Nauru’s president announced that the tiny Pacific island nation is reclaiming its traditional name, Naoero, as an affirmation of heritage and identity.
    — Ted Anthony, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The spectrum of love and affirmation that love exists in the world — people want that.
    — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Assent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assent. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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