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assent

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word assent distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of assent are accede, acquiesce, agree, consent, and subscribe. While all these words mean "to concur with what has been proposed," assent implies an act involving the understanding or judgment and applies to propositions or opinions.

voters assented to the proposal

When might accede be a better fit than assent?

The meanings of accede and assent largely overlap; however, accede implies a yielding, often under pressure, of assent or consent.

officials acceded to the prisoners' demands

When is acquiesce a more appropriate choice than assent?

While in some cases nearly identical to assent, acquiesce implies tacit acceptance or forbearance of opposition.

acquiesced to his boss's wishes

When would agree be a good substitute for assent?

The synonyms agree and assent are sometimes interchangeable, but agree sometimes implies previous difference of opinion or attempts at persuasion.

finally agreed to come along

In what contexts can consent take the place of assent?

In some situations, the words consent and assent are roughly equivalent. However, consent involves the will or feelings and indicates compliance with what is requested or desired.

consented to their daughter's going

When can subscribe be used instead of assent?

While the synonyms subscribe and assent are close in meaning, subscribe implies not only consent or assent but hearty approval and active support.

subscribes wholeheartedly to the idea

Examples 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 assent
Verb
The latter measure is being challenged in court and the nation’s president has yet to assent to it. Kaula Nhongo / Bloomberg, TIME, 21 June 2024 Two counsellors of state act jointly in exercising royal powers such as assenting to laws, receiving ambassadors and holding Privy Council meetings. Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week Uk, theweek, 6 Feb. 2024
Noun
As with teams in U.S. leagues, clubs in the Premier League contractually assent to follow procedures and policies that restrain how each club can compete. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 17 Sep. 2024 And Israel, since its declaration of statehood without assent from the majority population, has promised a constitution — never fulfilled — but has operated on the Torah-as-constitution. Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for assent 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assent
Verb
  • For example, 67% of employers say regular conversations with managers about career paths are available, but only 42% of workers agree.
    Bruno V. Manno, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
  • Both had agreed prior to their trials to testify against Encep Nurjaman, whom the U.S. described as the alleged mastermind behind al-Qaeda attacks in Bali, Indonesia, in 2002, and in Jakarta, Indonesia, in 2003, the Pentagon said.
    Luis Martinez, ABC News, 18 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The intrusion and lack of privacy are not being met with acquiescence; employees are outraged and calling for boundaries around what ‘Big Brother’ can use against them.
    Melissa A. Wheeler, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2024
  • Demanding acquiescence, the Kremlin understands that the war effort can also be ignored or put out of mind.
    Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 13 Mar. 2024
Verb
  • In 2023, Federline moved the boys to Hawaii, a decision that Spears consented to, according to his attorney.
    Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024
  • The lawsuit furthers that Olson-Kennedy pressured Breen’s parents into consenting by warning them that Breen might die by suicide without these interventions.
    Kaelan Deese, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 6 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Most recently, Ingrid Lewis-Martin, Adams' former top adviser, was charged with accepting bribes to expedite real estate approvals.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
  • The Older Americans Act, the umbrella federal law that includes programs such as Meals on Wheels, senior transportation, information services, adult day, and caregiver support was hours from being expanded and winning congressional approval for another five years.
    Howard Gleckman, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Jeff Passan and Russ Dorsey on Monday reported the Red Sox had reached an agreement with Walker Buehler on a one-year, $21.05 million contract.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
  • The jury found that Qualcomm did not breach its licensing agreements with Arm. 10.
    Zev Fima, CNBC, 23 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Owens opened up about her long family history of acceptance, noting that Elida's daughter is a lesbian, her son-in-law is bisexual with three gay brothers, and Owens, herself, identifies as a lesbian.
    Ashley Vega, People.com, 20 Dec. 2024
  • Some even come with a seal of acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), which is only awarded to footwear that podiatrists consider beneficial for your foot health.
    Sara Coughlin, SELF, 20 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Register now and check your email for confirmation and details.
    David Plazas, The Tennessean, 22 Dec. 2024
  • President-elect Trump's cabinet picks have been making their rounds on Capitol Hill ahead of their confirmation hearings.
    ABC News, ABC News, 22 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Leverage Positive Feedback: Use affirmations from your team to reinforce what’s working.
    Scott Hutcheson, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
  • This time around, about thirty minutes into the session, the affirmations that an instructor named Sophia was calling out began to ring in my ears with a special resonance.
    Naomi Fry, The New Yorker, 21 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near assent

Cite this Entry

“Assent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assent. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.

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