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
Many nations joined the chorus, chanting day after day, indicating their assent. Literary Hub, 26 May 2026 To initiate any medical care, consent from the parent and assent from the patient is required. Susan Radzilowski, The Conversation, 20 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for assent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assent
Verb
  • Baldoni, via his Wayfarer Studios production company, and Lively later agreed to settle but remain tied up in a court fight over legal fees.
    ABC News, ABC News, 9 July 2026
  • James Stavridis, a retired US Navy admiral who had sailed through the Strait of Hormuz many times, agreed.
    Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 9 July 2026
Noun
  • Less money coming into government coffers also means fewer goodies for the population of Moscow, whose acquiescence Putin desperately needs.
    Phillips Payson O’Brien, The Atlantic, 30 June 2026
  • But the balance of risks has changed Europe’s era of acquiescence is over.
    semafor.com, semafor.com, 22 June 2026
Verb
  • And Rock Hill already voted once not to consent to anything less than the original, full amount.
    John Marks, Charlotte Observer, 10 July 2026
  • Gámez has consented to extradition, according to court documents, but the process could still take weeks.
    Sebastian Rotella, ProPublica, 10 July 2026
Noun
  • Jolly replaced him and, within two months, secured Moreno’s approval to hire the architect of a World Series championship team to figure out what was not right in the organization, and to fix it.
    Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • One reason ibogaine has struggled to win approval in the past is a lack of financial incentive, Barsuglia said.
    Gavin Escott, USA Today, 6 July 2026
Noun
  • And ultimately both legislative chambers aligned behind including the requirement for the Department of Finance in the agreement with the governor.
    Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026
  • It was approved by the City Council in January 2024, after some back-and-forth, as part of a new use agreement that gives the foundation access 50 days a year and allows the city the remainder of the scheduling.
    Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 10 July 2026
Noun
  • With Ancelotti on the sideline, there may be more begrudging acceptance of that this time.
    Chris Evans, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
  • Plus, regulatory acceptance, industry validation, and real-world testing will determine how widely such systems can be deployed in safety-critical environments.
    Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 4 July 2026
Noun
  • Your letter should include your complete name, address, phone number and your credit report confirmation number, if available.
    Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026
  • Regular, predictable appointments would help reduce the politicization of the confirmation process while preserving judicial independence.
    Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Sun Sentinel, 9 July 2026
Noun
  • Instead of tightening a leash or pushing on a dog’s back to force them to do a trick, pooches are commonly rewarded with treats, toys or positive affirmations.
    Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 10 July 2026
  • The court’s term that ended last week is the most robust judicial affirmation of executive power over immigration in the court’s history, said Muzaffar Chishti, a senior fellow at the Migration Policy Institute, a nonpartisan think tank.
    Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Assent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assent. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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