consent 1 of 2

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
Ukraine agreed to a U.S. proposal in March, but Russia has not inked its consent. Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 June 2025 According to the filmmakers, the number of patients who gave their consent to participate was higher than expected. Eric Wood, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
Verb
Considering that drivers would no longer need a windshield that prioritized seeing the road, windows could instead double as screens, allowing passengers to watch TV, work, play video games, or even communicate with passengers in nearby cars who’ve consented to connecting with others. HubSpot, 12 June 2025 The inmates consented to being part of the studies and were paid for their participation. Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for consent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consent
Noun
  • Still, many members of the church don’t want to stop attending Mass even if leaders give them permission.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2025
  • Castillo denies that anyone in the department would give approval for the locks to be removed, and the man can’t name the individual who gave him permission, according to Castillo.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • But even those who assent to most of his criticisms might balk at following Anderson to his final destination, which is to bluntly deny India much of a future in the modern world.
    Pankaj Mishra, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2013
  • 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
Noun
  • The wastewater testing program would need authorization from the legislature.
    Vivian Jones, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
  • To do so, however, requires authorization by the federal government.
    Chris Sims, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
Verb
  • The University of Pennsylvania agreed to a resolution with President Donald Trump's administration to keep males out of women's sports and apologize to every woman swimmer who was affected by the presence of trans athlete Lia Thomas in the 2021-22 season.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2025
  • Earlier this year, Kubler settled the SEC’s claims and agreed to pay penalties.
    Sydney Sasser, Charlotte Observer, 1 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Consent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consent. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on consent

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