assent 1 of 2

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

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
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 Putin did not agree to a full ceasefire, which Trump has proposed and which Ukraine had assented to earlier. Joshua Keating, Vox, 18 Mar. 2025
Noun
Thus, weighing the burdens and benefits of treatment is best undertaken by parents, with their child’s assent and guided by clinician expertise. Amy Caruso Brown, STAT, 30 Jan. 2026 But in 2024, a state commission backed the road, with the assent of Osceola and over the objections of Orange and many members of the local environmental community. Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for assent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assent
Verb
  • Aim for clear headlines and concise notes, and agree on timelines to ensure your reputation reflects focus and reliability.
    Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 15 Mar. 2026
  • Their paths cross again when Cory accidentally hits Donny’s bicycle with his car and, as penance, agrees to drive him around town for a week to do errands.
    Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 15 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • This is a story that traces the path to justice for mass atrocity in the face of public acquiescence.
    Sheila Coronel, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Kelley, Offerman, Fanning, and especially Pfeiffer do enough of the hard work to make acquiescence rather easy — and the ensuing journey a worthy reward.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Parents must consent to have their children take part in the research, but many are Rollins employees and few object.
    Michael Cuglietta, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2026
  • But neither state offers addiction or bankruptcy prevention protections and other guardrails like restricting advertising and requiring a spouse to consent before a joint bank account is used for gambling.
    Suzanne King, Kansas City Star, 12 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The deal, which awaits regulatory approval, has Hollywood bracing for more layoffs.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Mar. 2026
  • As Jordan sat, his mother by his side, overwhelmed by the magnitude of what had just happened, the roar of approval reverberating through the auditorium, my body, seemingly flooded with butterflies, appeared to dissolve into the screen.
    Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 16 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The data center will include an Oncor substation, according to the tax agreement proposal, and ERCOT, the state’s power grid, has signed off on the development.
    Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Mar. 2026
  • Most of the money went to the nonprofit Viet America Society for a meals program for seniors and the disabled, but only a fraction was spent for that purpose, according to Do’s plea agreement in 2024.
    Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 17 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The romance between Benny and Río was so wholesome to read about, filled with so much acceptance and warmth, and is still one of my favorite romantasies today.
    De Elizabeth, Glamour, 17 Mar. 2026
  • Even ideas that encourage acceptance, such as the popular notion that trans people inherently feel as if we’re born in the wrong body, can fail to fully capture the nuances of the experience.
    Isle McElroy, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Thursday’s release marks the first public disclosure and documented confirmation of a Federal Bureau of Investigation probe that has roiled Kansas City politics over the last month.
    Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2026
  • That confirmation has not yet been given.
    Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The 2026 championship is more of an affirmation, a continuation of what the Bruins have done all season en route to an undefeated Big Ten regular season and a school-record 25-game winning streak.
    Grace Raynor, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2026
  • The report lamented this deviation from its historical use as a hopeful, sacred affirmation with biblical roots.
    Peter Smith, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Assent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assent. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.

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