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assent

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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
But these hardly excuse their seeming assent to the destruction of American democracy and our economy. Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2025 Administration officials demanded an apology from Zelenskyy and assent for a controversial deal to give the U.S. access to valuable Ukrainian natural resources. David Brennan, ABC News, 5 Mar. 2025
Noun
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 These agreements encourage assenting parties to perform due diligence, helping to identify potential gaps in the data protection chain. Chris Novak, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for assent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assent
Verb
  • And many people who study emergency response agree that, to some degree, the agency needs reform.
    Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 15 July 2025
  • Everyone agreed that the transformation was natural and good.
    Brian Park, New Yorker, 15 July 2025
Noun
  • Too many have chosen the politics of non-engagement, which is at best a hair’s breadth away from acquiescence or complicity.
    Kamila Shamsie June 20, Literary Hub, 20 June 2025
  • This long history of the expansion of executive power, often with the acquiescence of the courts, to violate and restrict civil liberties in the name of national security has ultimately brought us to our current situation.
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
Verb
  • When Petterson declined to consent, Soriano pulled up a board roster showing when all the trustees began their service.
    Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2025
  • His attorneys asserted that although the victim and McLemore were intoxicated at the time of the encounter, the victim was sober enough to consent.
    Zach Powell, New York Times, 4 July 2025
Noun
  • In April, the team announced plans to build a new stadium at the RFK site, but the team and Washington D.C. mayor Muriel Bowser need approval from the D.C. Council.
    Jim Reineking, USA Today, 21 July 2025
  • Meanwhile, Paramount is in the midst of a merger with entertainment company Skydance — a deal that will need approval from the Trump administration.
    Meredith Kile, People.com, 21 July 2025
Noun
  • In 2019, during the first Trump administration, the U.S. also suspended the trade agreement but it was lifted after a new agreement was reached, Jungmeyer said.
    Daniel Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 22 July 2025
  • The pair’s status as NATO members means each would defend the other if attacked, but the new agreement deepens cooperation, including further integrating arms exports, weapons development, and military doctrines, and a pledge to supply Ukraine with long-range weapons.
    Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 21 July 2025
Noun
  • The release said Hon! Jr. is filled with humor, heart, and a memorable score and promises to entertain audiences of all ages with its wit, warmth, and message of acceptance.
    Pioneer Press, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2025
  • Joseph continued building her career in payment acceptance, eventually got married, had three boys and moved to a startup in Atlanta.
    Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025
Noun
  • At his confirmation hearing, Acosta initially defended his handling of the original case.
    Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
  • Popular Science has reached out to Sotheby’s for confirmation of the sale price.
    Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 16 July 2025
Noun
  • This only proves that, just like you, your manager needs those words of affirmation to stay motivated.
    Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
  • Aniston has shown herself to be a fan of Curtis’ affirmations and of his work, according to the Daily Mail.
    Martha Ross, Mercury News, 8 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Assent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assent. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.

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