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

That shaky hold over the chamber soured hopes that there would be a quick acquiescence to putting in place a Leadership team that had the support from Trump. —Philip Elliott, TIME, 3 Jan. 2025

In fact, the public acquiescence of senior officials throughout the process reaffirmed Russia’s authoritarian hierarchy and Putin’s place at its apex. —Julian G. Waller, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2024

Such acquiescence was the best possible public response from the Kremlin’s point of view. —Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 27 Sep. 2022

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

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1