acknowledge

verb

ac·​knowl·​edge ik-ˈnä-lij 

ak-

acknowledged; acknowledging

transitive verb

1

: to recognize the rights, authority, or status of

They acknowledged him as their leader.

2

: to disclose knowledge of or agreement with

She readily acknowledged her mistake.

3

a

: to express gratitude or obligation for

acknowledge a gift

b

: to take notice of

failed to acknowledge my greeting

c

: to make known the receipt of

acknowledge a letter

4

: to recognize as genuine or valid

acknowledge a debt

Synonyms

• admit
• agree
• allow
• concede
• confess
• fess (up)
• grant
• own (up to)

Choose the Right Synonym for acknowledge

acknowledge, admit, own, avow, confess mean to disclose against one's will or inclination.

acknowledge implies the disclosing of something that has been or might be concealed.

acknowledged an earlier peccadillo

admit implies reluctance to disclose, grant, or concede and refers usually to facts rather than their implications.

admitted the project was over budget

own implies acknowledging something in close relation to oneself.

must own I know little about computers

avow implies boldly declaring, often in the face of hostility, what one might be expected to be silent about.

avowed that he was a revolutionary

confess may apply to an admission of a weakness, failure, omission, or guilt.

confessed a weakness for sweets

Examples of acknowledge in a Sentence

They acknowledged that the decision was a mistake.

Do you acknowledge that you caused this mess?

They readily acknowledged their mistake.

She won't acknowledge responsibility for her actions.

He quickly acknowledges all of my e-mails when he receives them.

Please acknowledge receipt of this letter.

She acknowledged the gift with a card.

She acknowledged his greeting with a smile.

Recent Examples on the Web

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO's director-general, acknowledged a malaria connection in most samples while noting the possibility of multiple illnesses at play. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024

The department did acknowledge that the gun looks similar based on images and video from the scene and that the firearm will undergo ballistic testing, authorities told media. —Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024

However, in such situations, Ward encourages people to accept the gift graciously and acknowledge the gift giver for their thoughtfulness, which is rewarding on both sides. —Julianna Bragg, CNN, 11 Dec. 2024

Broocks noted that the Sandy Hook lawsuit judgments could be overturned in pending appeals and got Murray to acknowledge that the Sandy Hook families' offer in The Onion bid could fall apart if that happens. —CBS News, 11 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

ac- (in acknow "to confess knowledge of," going back to Middle English aknowen, going back to Old English oncnāwan, acnāwan "to know, recognize, admit, confess," from a-, on-, prefixal use of on on entry 1 + cnāwan "to know entry 1") + knowledge

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

acknowledge

verb

ac·​knowl·​edge ik-ˈnäl-ij 

ak-

acknowledged; acknowledging

1

: to recognize the rights or authority of

2

: to admit the truth or existence of

3

: to make known that something has been received or noticed

acknowledge a letter

Legal Definition

acknowledge

transitive verb

ac·​knowl·​edge

acknowledged; acknowledging

1

: to indicate recognition and acceptance of

the power of taxation in the general and state governments is acknowledged to be concurrent

—McCulloch v. Maryland, 17 U.S. 316 (1819)

2

a

: to show by word or act that one has knowledge of and accepts responsibility for (a duty, obligation, or indebtedness)

b

: to admit paternity of

will acknowledge the child as his

compare filiate

3

: to make known to a sender or giver the receipt of (what has been sent or given) or the fact of (one's having received what has been sent or given)

acknowledge receipt of a letter

4

: to recognize as genuine so as to give validity : avow or admit in legal form

the execution of any such power of attorney shall be acknowledged before one of the officers

—U.S. Code