acknowledge

[ ak-nol-ij ]

verb (used with object)

, ac·knowl·edged, ac·knowl·edg·ing.

1. to admit to be real or true; recognize the existence, truth, or fact of:

   to acknowledge one's mistakes.

   Synonyms: grant, confess, concede

   Antonyms: disavow, disclaim, deny

2. to show or express recognition or realization of:

   to acknowledge an acquaintance by nodding.

3. to recognize the authority, validity, or claims of:

   The students acknowledged the authority of the student council.

4. to show or express appreciation or gratitude for:

   to acknowledge a favor.

5. to indicate or make known the receipt of:

   to acknowledge a letter.

6. to take notice of or reply to:

   to acknowledge a greeting.

7. Law. to confirm as binding or of legal force:

   to acknowledge a deed.

acknowledge

/ əkˈnɒlɪdʒ /

verb

1. may take a clause as object to recognize or admit the existence, truth, or reality of
2. to indicate recognition or awareness of, as by a greeting, glance, etc
3. to express appreciation or thanks for

   to acknowledge a gift

4. to make the receipt of known to the sender

   to acknowledge a letter

5. to recognize, esp in legal form, the authority, rights, or claims of

Derived Forms

• acˈknowledger, noun
• acˈknowledgeable, adjective

Other Words From

• ac·knowl·edge·a·ble adjective
• ac·knowl·edg·er noun
• pre·ac·knowl·edge verb (used with object) preacknowledged preacknowledging
• re·ac·knowl·edge verb (used with object) reacknowledged reacknowledging
• un·ac·knowl·edg·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of acknowledge¹

First recorded in 1475–85; late Middle English acknowleche, apparently either Middle English aknou(en) “to recognize” + -leche, noun suffix, variant of -lac; or a blend of aknouen and knouleche knowledge; then a- was mistaken for ac-

Word History and Origins

Origin of acknowledge¹

C15: probably from earlier knowledge, on the model of Old English oncnāwan, Middle English aknowen to confess, recognize

Synonym Study

Acknowledge, admit, confess agree in the idea of declaring something to be true. Acknowledge implies making a statement reluctantly, often about something previously denied: to acknowledge a fault. Admit especially implies acknowledging something under pressure: to admit a charge. Confess usually means stating somewhat formally an admission of wrongdoing, crime, or shortcoming: to confess guilt; to confess an inability to understand.

Example Sentences

“I want to acknowledge the courage of the young victim and his decision to report the abuse.”

From Los Angeles Times

Yet, less than a year after Rolling Stone published “The Sheik” in 1972, Babitz fired off a pointed missive to Didion, taking her to task for her refusal to acknowledge the ways in which sexism had impeded the artistic progress of women.

From Los Angeles Times

The Florida congressman's expressed views in Congress have hewed closely to Republicans' political views on national security and foreign policy since Trump's election in 2016 - but they also acknowledge the US's key role in global affairs.

From BBC

Many arose after the murder of George Floyd in 2020 and the resulting rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, as well as other efforts to advance social justice and acknowledge darker parts of American history.

From BBC

But sources in government acknowledge that Europe, with conflict on its fringes, must play a vigorous financial part.

From BBC

Related Words

• accept
• agree
• defend
• endorse
• recognize
• support