consent 1 of 2

Definition of consentnext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word consent distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of consent are accede, acquiesce, agree, assent, and subscribe. While all these words mean "to concur with what has been proposed," consent involves the will or feelings and indicates compliance with what is requested or desired.

consented to their daughter's going

When could accede be used to replace consent?

In some situations, the words accede and consent are roughly equivalent. However, accede implies a yielding, often under pressure, of assent or consent.

officials acceded to the prisoners' demands

When would acquiesce be a good substitute for consent?

The words acquiesce and consent can be used in similar contexts, but acquiesce implies tacit acceptance or forbearance of opposition.

acquiesced to his boss's wishes

Where would agree be a reasonable alternative to consent?

While the synonyms agree and consent are close in meaning, agree sometimes implies previous difference of opinion or attempts at persuasion.

finally agreed to come along

When might assent be a better fit than consent?

The synonyms assent and consent are sometimes interchangeable, but assent implies an act involving the understanding or judgment and applies to propositions or opinions.

voters assented to the proposal

When can subscribe be used instead of consent?

The words subscribe and consent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 consent
Noun
Confidential computing supports that trust through capabilities such as immutable access logging and consent management. John Pettit, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 The states also accuse Meta of violating the federal Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, or COPPA, by gathering personal data about users under 13 and not getting parental consent. John Ruwitch, NPR, 18 Aug. 2026
Verb
View gallery - 3 images At a recent doctor's appointment, I was asked to consent to an artificial intelligence assistant listening to my consultation. New Atlas, 5 Aug. 2026 Consumers may consent to receive marketing calls, for example by checking a consent box on a form. ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for consent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consent
Noun
  • Those already in the country on programs like Temporary Protected Status have also been stripped of that permission to stay.
    Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Constant said failure to appear charges, often due to the bus being late, a lack of childcare or permission to take the day off from work, are driving Connecticut’s pretrial population.
    Kaitlin McCallum, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • False endorsement and misappropriation, FanDuel could insist, are inapplicable to a personalized video setting where the video’s talent voluntarily assents in exchange for compensation.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 14 July 2026
  • Their mothers assented because anything the cousins did together could be considered family time.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 June 2026
Noun
  • Culture Minister Isaac Tchiakpé rejected RSF’s assertion that the filmmakers had received authorization from his ministry to carry out the documentary shoot.
    ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Without work authorizations and the ability to drive, many have chosen for now, to remain home behind closed doors.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Many fans agreed Wednesday's game with Messi can keep that momentum going, while also shining a spotlight on the Union.
    Eva Andersen, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Ahmed and Gilkar say West cut off communication with them shortly after agreeing to terminate the pregnancy.
    Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Consent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consent. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on consent

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster