Synonyms of consent

consent 1 of 2

noun

as in permission

the approval by someone in authority for the doing of something

we had to get our neighbor's consent in order to trim the tree from his side

Synonyms & Similar Words

• permission
• authorization
• granting
• sanction
• warrant
• signature
• license
• clearance
• allowance
• licence
• leave
• permit
• accreditation
• concurrence
• green light
• sufferance
• assent
• certification
• seal
• acceptance
• agreement
• grant
• liberty
• stamp
• tolerance
• okay
• acquiescence
• patent
• imprimatur
• pass
• concession
• toleration
• OK
• accord

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• refusal
• prohibition
• revocation
• denial
• rejection
• injunction
• veto
• exclusion
• proscription
• suppression
• interdiction
• repression
• taboo
• deterrence
• ban
• embargo
• tabu
• discouragement

consent

2 of 2

verb

kən-ˈsent 

as in to assent

to give or express one's approval (as to a proposal)

refused to consent to the marriage

Synonyms & Similar Words

• assent
• agree
• acquiesce
• accede
• submit
• subscribe
• succumb
• come round
• adopt
• abide
• tolerate
• bear (with)
• stand
• embrace
• suffer
• endure
• yield
• espouse
• bow
• swallow
• take
• stomach
• relent
• knuckle under

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dissent
• refuse
• reject
• deny
• scorn
• spurn
• rebuff
• gainsay

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

Recent Examples of consent

Noun

Jenni Hermoso accused Rubiales of kissing her without her consent as Spain celebrated the team’s win over England. —Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 20 Feb. 2025

Doxing refers to the act of publicly revealing or publishing private, personal information about an individual without their consent. —Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 19 Feb. 2025

Verb

The most delightful moments of the entire endeavor come in the premiere, directed by Robert Alexander, as established SNL alums watch their own auditions, tearing up (Heidi Gardner) or groaning (Bowen Yang) or adamantly refusing to participate before gamely consenting to a minute or two (Poehler). —Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Jan. 2025

California law requires all parties in a conversation to consent to being recorded. —Jenna Dejong, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025