acquiescence

noun

ac·​qui·​es·​cence ˌa-kwē-ˈe-sᵊn(t)s 

1

: passive acceptance or submission : the act of acquiescing or the state of being acquiescent

I was surprised by his acquiescence to their demands.

2

: an instance of acquiescing

Synonyms

• biddability
• compliance
• compliancy
• deference
• docility
• obedience
• submissiveness

Examples of acquiescence in a Sentence

good manners demanded our cheerful acquiescence to our host's plans for dinner

Recent Examples on the Web

If anything, acquiescence would create a further basis to claim that the university is not compliant, which risks even more encroachments on academic freedom. —Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2025

Details of such bills are typically negotiated between the two parties, particularly because votes in the Senate require 60 votes to pass, effectively requiring acquiescence of the minority party. —Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 17 Mar. 2025

The scheme depends on Trump’s support and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s acquiescence. —Barry R. Posen, Foreign Affairs, 21 Apr. 2025

The key phrase here: harm reduction, or acquiescence to hard drug use. —Howard Husock, New York Daily News, 19 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, from acquiescer "to acquiesce" + -ence -ence

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for acquiescence

• adolescence
• coalescence
• convalescence
• effervescence
• efflorescence
• evanescence
• incandescence
• inflorescence
• iridescence
• luminescence
• obsolescence
• opalescence