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
  • Lee agrees to visit Mekka, which brings us to the episode’s title.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Zelenskyy, meanwhile, has agreed to halt Ukraine's monthslong campaign targeting Russian oil refineries that caused fuel shortages for Russians.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • There are similar issues in competitive races in Kansas, Iowa and Ohio, where Republican acquiescence could hurt the party on Election Day as their constituents face factory layoffs, farm foreclosures and higher prices.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Verb
  • James told investigators that Laura Hamilton was aware and consented to that relationship with her husband, which Laura Hamilton later disputed.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Owners consented to donating brain samples from their old dogs for this study.
    — Julie Moreno, The Conversation, 6 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Hall said county staff and event organizers have put in a lot of work to ensure the race will be up to standard and as safe as possible, meeting all requirements for approval.
    — Glory Reitz, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Much of it will build a new CMU campus in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood, which is expected to enroll its first students in 2028, pending regulatory approval.
    — Linda K. Brown Stroh, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Instead of forcing agreement, stay curious about what needs tweaking.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The effort is part of the agreement between the DAF and Northrop Grumman that increases annual B-21 production capacity by 25% while maintaining focus on cost, schedule and performance.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • She is drawn to the fragility of a woman’s mind inside a stifling life shaped by men, and the steady acceptance of the violence built into it.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
  • In the late hours of Wednesday night, in the clubhouse where the Braves reside at Truist Park, there was an air of acceptance and finality.
    — Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The kind of life admin tasks like swim lesson sign-ups and appointment confirmations that pile up with alarming frequency in a house of one preschool-age kid and two adults with full-time jobs.
    — Allison Johnson, The Verge, 9 Oct. 2026
  • At press time a spokesperson for Judd had not returned Billboard‘s request for confirmation on the Mar-a-Lago date.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 8 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • But more often, their affirmations tend to settle for the conventional.
    — Cassidy Sollazzo, Pitchfork, 8 Oct. 2026
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Assent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assent. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

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