ACKNOWLEDGE Synonyms: 69 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'acknowledge' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of acknowledge are admit , avow , confess , and own . While all these words 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

Q: When is it sensible to use 'admit' instead of 'acknowledge'?

While in some cases nearly identical to acknowledge , admit implies reluctance to disclose, grant, or concede and refers usually to facts rather than their implications. // admitted the project was over budget

Q: When could 'avow' be used to replace 'acknowledge'?

Although the words avow and acknowledge have much in common, 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

Q: In what contexts can 'confess' take the place of 'acknowledge'?

The words confess and acknowledge are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, confess may apply to an admission of a weakness, failure, omission, or guilt. // confessed a weakness for sweets

Q: When is 'own' a more appropriate choice than 'acknowledge'?

The words own and acknowledge can be used in similar contexts, but own implies acknowledging something in close relation to oneself. // must own I know little about computers

acknowledge

verb

ik-ˈnä-lij

Definition of acknowledge next

as in to admit

to accept the truth or existence of (something) usually reluctantly finally had to acknowledge that she'd outgrown her favorite jacket

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How does the verb acknowledge contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of acknowledge are admit, avow, confess, and own. While all these words 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

When is it sensible to use admit instead of acknowledge?

While in some cases nearly identical to acknowledge, admit implies reluctance to disclose, grant, or concede and refers usually to facts rather than their implications.

admitted the project was over budget

When could avow be used to replace acknowledge?

Although the words avow and acknowledge have much in common, 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

In what contexts can confess take the place of acknowledge?

The words confess and acknowledge are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, confess may apply to an admission of a weakness, failure, omission, or guilt.

confessed a weakness for sweets

When is own a more appropriate choice than acknowledge?

The words own and acknowledge can be used in similar contexts, but own implies acknowledging something in close relation to oneself.

must own I know little about computers

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 acknowledge Tesla submitted the recall on January 6th, which acknowledges faulty computers are in some of the most recent builds of Model 3, Model Y, Model S, and Model X vehicles. —

Umar Shakir, The Verge, 10 Jan. 2025 Climate groups acknowledged that while the administration achieved great things for their cause, its insistence on compromising between renewable and nonrenewable energy sources drained the enthusiasm of leftist environmental movement. —

Alex J. Rouhandeh, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024 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 See all Example Sentences for acknowledge

Recent Examples of Synonyms for acknowledge

Verb

Speaking at the Institut Français de la Mode’s recent Fashion Reboot seminar, the executive admitted that GenAI has already crept into the design process to a large extent.

Joelle Diderich, WWD, 9 Jan. 2025
Perhaps Steichen’s hesitancy to admit that comes, in part, from his owner thinking the team was on the brink of a breakthrough.

James Boyd, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025