assent 1 of 2

Definition of assentnext

assent

2 of 2

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

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
Petro finally assented, after several former Colombian Presidents offered to help smooth things over, and the relationship calmed down. Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 15 Jan. 2026 Key to the proposal, which is similar to one former President Joe Biden made more than a year ago, is Hamas assenting both to be disarmed and removed from governing Gaza. Dina Kraft, Christian Science Monitor, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
Thus, weighing the burdens and benefits of treatment is best undertaken by parents, with their child’s assent and guided by clinician expertise. Amy Caruso Brown, STAT, 30 Jan. 2026 But in 2024, a state commission backed the road, with the assent of Osceola and over the objections of Orange and many members of the local environmental community. Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for assent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assent
Verb
  • The city agreed, reducing maximum e-bike speeds to 15 mph on city trails, prohibiting e-bikes on sidewalks and imposing penalties.
    Sarah Raza, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Bank of America also has agreed to pay certain litigation costs and claims administration costs, and those costs will not come from the fund used to pay class members, records show.
    Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • This is a story that traces the path to justice for mass atrocity in the face of public acquiescence.
    Sheila Coronel, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Kelley, Offerman, Fanning, and especially Pfeiffer do enough of the hard work to make acquiescence rather easy — and the ensuing journey a worthy reward.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
    CBS News, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Prosecutors allege the victim was unable to consent due to a mental disorder and physical or developmental disability.
    Cierra Morgan, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The approval of her parole came the next morning, while Estrada Juarez was still wrapped in a blanket.
    Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 31 Mar. 2026
  • The decline has accelerated sharply in recent weeks, with net approval dropping roughly 5 points over a short span.
    Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Start by reading the contract – that's the agreement between you and the car rental company.
    Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
  • One lawsuit, filed against Guadalupe Centers by former human resources director Shirley Folch, was eventually dismissed by agreement from the two sides last year, while another, filed against Guadalupe Centers Charter Schools by former Superintendent James Hammen, remains pending.
    Nathan Pilling March 31, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • However, formal mindfulness meditation involves sustained practice that systematically trains attention and acceptance.
    J. David Creswell, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Grocery Hub is working on getting SNAP EBT card acceptance back at the location and intends to implement a customer loyalty program, Hussein said.
    Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • From confirmation to downfall During her confirmation hearings, Bondi promised to safeguard the Justice Department’s independence and bolster its transparency.
    Austin Sarat, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026
  • While the next nominee will only need a simple majority vote to become the next attorney general, just a few Republicans could derail confirmation.
    Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • In the early 1990s, Stuart Smalley's humorous affirmations on SNL highlighted the power of self-coaching, a concept supported by psychologist Ethan Kross, who suggests that addressing oneself in the second person can alleviate anxiety and improve problem-solving by fostering a broader perspective.
    Big Think, Big Think, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Practice daily affirmations with the 7/10 rule Affirmations have been shown in psychology to have a measurable positive impact on stress levels and optimism.
    Andee Tagle, NPR, 27 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Assent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assent. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.

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