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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Example 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 And on Thursday, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte acknowledged that the alliance's countries were not keeping pace with Moscow's ammunition production -- another blow for Kyiv. —

Shannon K. Kingston, ABC News, 14 Feb. 2025 Only a spokesperson for Jones acknowledged receipt of the questions sent. —

Gary Collins, Baltimore Sun, 14 Feb. 2025 Doe acknowledged inconsistencies in her recollection of the events in an interview with NBC but stood by her allegation that she was raped. —

Elizabeth Wagmeister, CNN, 14 Feb. 2025 Microsoft, Meta, and Apple weighed in during earnings calls, acknowledging the startup’s cheaper, competitive AI models. —

Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 3 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for acknowledge

Recent Examples of Synonyms for acknowledge

Verb

While other girls snicker when Lucia admits she’s never had her period, the queen bee graciously defends her from mockery.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 14 Feb. 2025
Other than producing the Earth's magnetic field, Vidale admitted that what happens to the Earth's inner core has little to no impact to those of us up here on the surface.

— Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025