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assent

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word assent distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of assent are accede, acquiesce, agree, consent, and subscribe. While all these words mean "to concur with what has been proposed," assent implies an act involving the understanding or judgment and applies to propositions or opinions.

voters assented to the proposal

When might accede be a better fit than assent?

The meanings of accede and assent largely overlap; however, accede implies a yielding, often under pressure, of assent or consent.

officials acceded to the prisoners' demands

When is acquiesce a more appropriate choice than assent?

While in some cases nearly identical to assent, acquiesce implies tacit acceptance or forbearance of opposition.

acquiesced to his boss's wishes

When would agree be a good substitute for assent?

The synonyms agree and assent are sometimes interchangeable, but agree sometimes implies previous difference of opinion or attempts at persuasion.

finally agreed to come along

In what contexts can consent take the place of assent?

In some situations, the words consent and assent are roughly equivalent. However, consent involves the will or feelings and indicates compliance with what is requested or desired.

consented to their daughter's going

When can subscribe be used instead of assent?

While the synonyms subscribe and assent are close in meaning, subscribe implies not only consent or assent but hearty approval and active support.

subscribes wholeheartedly to the idea

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 assent
Verb
Some of them assented to a ceremonial final flight, a last twirl for the cameras and dignitaries, like the Parisian leg of the Tour de France. Nick Paumgarten, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025 Even if Woodard contractually assented to her name and other identity rights being licensed and used in commercial products, whether the apparel contract is aligned with Woodard’s assent could generate disagreement. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 3 Sep. 2019
Noun
Without assent from a majority of lawmakers, the report is expected to stay under wraps. Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 21 Nov. 2024 With Lamont’s assent, the law Ritter crafted in cooperation with the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus commits the state to $875 million in borrowing over an initial five-year period, assuming about $175 million in grants in each of those five years. Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 9 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for assent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assent
Verb
  • Green Bay agreed to a one-year deal with Hardman, who spent the majority of his first six NFL seasons with Kansas City.
    Rob Reischel, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
  • The Kraken had agreed to retain 50% of Gourde’s salary, with Detroit taking on an additional 25%.
    Eduardo A. Encina, Orlando Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Russia will continue to object to NATO membership for Ukraine, but NATO’s decision should not depend on Russian acquiescence.
    STEPHEN HADLEY, Foreign Affairs, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Or in 2025, does Hollywood go the other way, the Big Tech way, toward acquiescence, toward eliminating the fact-checking departments, toward platforming the trolls, toward filling the coffers of the first lady?
    Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • But that’s inherently present in every lewd conduct case because minors can’t consent to the conduct, Martinez said.
    Kyle Pfannenstiel, Idaho Statesman, 25 Mar. 2025
  • The question of autonomy is really at full volume in these episodes — and certainly consent.
    Devon Ivie, Vulture, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • But Trump will need congressional approval to fully shut down the department.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
  • That includes reviewers of new drug applications, whose salaries are funded primarily by fees paid for by drugmakers when seeking approval, not taxpayers.
    Alexander Tin, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Most captives have been released in ceasefire agreements or other deals.
    Wafaa Shurafa and Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2025
  • On Saturday, Venezuela’s special envoy for peace talks, Jorge Rodríguez Gómez, announced an agreement with the US to repatriate Venezuelans detained in the US back to Venezuela.
    Merlin Delcid, CNN, 23 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Aid workers build trust and acceptance by not picking sides in a conflict and providing aid based on need.
    Chen Reis, The Conversation, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Proceeds go to nonprofit groups that support autism research, awareness, and acceptance.
    Linda Mcintosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The delivery person then sets the package down and easily encourages Frank to pose in the delivery confirmation photo.
    Kelli Bender, People.com, 21 Mar. 2025
  • The policy paper — much more detailed than anything that's appeared on Trump's campaign site or come up in confirmation hearings — is a strong signal that big changes are indeed on the horizon.
    Caitlin Owens, Axios, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Esparza The affirmation of others regarding my success was a key indicator.
    Catharine Malzahn, Glamour, 28 Mar. 2025
  • In terms of recent affirmation for its technology proposition, Amazon Web Services has noted that Vtex has earned the AWS Consumer Goods Competency designation.
    Adrian Bridgwater, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Assent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assent. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

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