Synonyms

acquiesce

American

[ak-wee-es] / ˌæk wiˈɛs /

verb (used without object)

acquiesced, acquiescing

to assent tacitly; submit or comply silently or without protest; agree; consent.

to acquiesce halfheartedly in a business plan.

Synonyms:

capitulate, concur, accede

Antonyms:

protest, contest

acquiesce British

/ ˌækwɪˈɛs /

verb

(intr; often foll by in or to) to comply (with); assent (to) without protest

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Usage

The use of to after acquiesce was formerly regarded as incorrect, but is now acceptable

Other Word Forms

acquiescence noun
acquiescent adjective
acquiescently adverb
acquiescingly adverb
nonacquiescing adjective

Etymology

Origin of acquiesce

First recorded in 1610–20; from Latin acquiēscere “to find rest in, ” equivalent to ac- ac- + quiē- + -sc- inchoative suffix + -ere infinitive suffix

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The social compact that endured since that trauma was that Iranians would acquiesce to hardship and restrictions in return for a strong state that protects them from foreign attack.

From The Wall Street Journal

He will hope the new leader acquiesces to his plea to be allowed to remain in the job until next May.

From BBC

There are no doubt plenty who will acquiesce to their demands.

From Salon

That means U.S. air operations could expand Japan’s involvement, if Tokyo acquiesced.

From The Wall Street Journal

That said, you are not wrong or rude for not acquiescing to their every suggestion.

From MarketWatch

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023