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consent

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verb

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
The bill also prohibits physicians and other health care providers from sharing any information about these services or related consultation with the minor’s parent or guardian without the minor’s express consent, according to the bill’s analysis. Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 28 May 2025 The athlete has been the subject of a right-wing harassment campaign led by advocates like 2026 state school superintendent candidate Sonja Shaw, who publicized her name, school, and gender identity without her consent. Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 27 May 2025
Verb
Image Image Most of the center’s residents are unable to consent to wearing the devices, leaving the decision up to their relatives and a probate judge. Kayana Szymczak For The New York Times, New York Times, 13 May 2025 According to the agent, Jaime-Flores consented to a search of her mobile phone. Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for consent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consent
Noun
  • Shadow on projects that excite you (with your manager’s permission).
    Dilan Gomih, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
  • Before they could be disposed of, Lodge took the remains without the knowledge or permission of Harvard, the donor of the cadavers or the donor's family, according to the U.S. attorney's office.
    Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 24 May 2025
Verb
  • The lead lawyer for the plaintiffs, Seth P. Waxman, a solicitor general for the Clinton administration, initially refused, but eventually assented after further criticism from Judge Reyes.
    Chris Cameron, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2025
  • 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
Noun
  • This agency oversees the authorization for manufacturing firms to sell and distribute these vaccines as part of an official USDA animal disease control program.
    Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 May 2025
  • This withdrawal came following the company’s public announcement to increase its share repurchase authorization to $750 million and commit to utilize $200 million of such authorization over the next three months and $500 million within the next 12 months.
    Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 31 May 2025
Verb
  • Both Cini and Walker agree that a hand wand or sprayer is an easy addition that adds long-term functionality.
    Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 May 2025
  • Viewed from within China, things had been looking up after the world’s two largest economies agreed to dramatically roll back steep tariffs – a conciliatory step in a trade war that had threatened the entire global trading system.
    Steven Jiang, CNN Money, 29 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Consent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consent. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on consent

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