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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

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 assent
Verb
When Nguyen assented, the man pledged to vote for him, no questions asked. Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2024 Sigrid Nunez’s The Friend (2018) and Lisa Halliday’s Asymmetry (2018) asked whether a woman can assent to her subjugation. Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 10 Aug. 2024
Noun
New macOS Permissions Even before Sequoia, macOS was already a needy operating system, regularly seeking assent to let apps or services behave in certain ways. Barry Collins, Forbes, 20 Sep. 2024 As with teams in U.S. leagues, clubs in the Premier League contractually assent to follow procedures and policies that restrain how each club can compete. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 17 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for assent 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assent
Verb
  • The Americans and British quickly agreed, according to Nalyvaichenko, setting up a training program in combat tactics for SBU officers.
    Patrick Reevell, ABC News, 17 Jan. 2025
  • But the children can have difficulty agreeing on management of the IRAs.
    Bob Carlson, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • 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
Verb
  • Some of the nominees will face easier paths than others, but Trump's supporters have pressured Republicans to consent, and Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso says Democrats should cooperate.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 15 Jan. 2025
  • The Entrant also consents to the use of his or her name and biographical information, if desired by Gannett, in connection with the Media and the Contest.
    USA TODAY, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • While these numbers underscore real risks, implementing these warnings would require Congressional approval.
    Jessica Dupuy, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
  • China has passed regulations requiring its government to bless the export of technology like TikTok's algorithm, meaning any sale would need the approval of Beijing.
    Bobby Allyn, NPR, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The Toronto Blue Jays reached an agreement on the 2025 salary for star first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on Thursday, ahead of the deadline for teams and players to avoid salary arbitration.
    Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
  • The merger points amend Fubo’s carriage agreements with Fox and Disney, the latter creating a new Sports & Broadcasting offering to include, on the Disney side, ESPN+, ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ACCN and ESPNEWS.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • However, Holker’s claims weren’t met with acceptance as more netizens continued to push back and refute her tale that Stephen may have been abusing drugs.
    Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 8 Jan. 2025
  • Viewers immediately fell head over heels for Daffodil and her acceptance of love.
    Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Apple did not admit to any wrongdoing as part of the settlement, although some social media users interpreted the payout as confirmation of Apple using its voice assistant to spy on users.
    Rocio Fabbro, Quartz, 9 Jan. 2025
  • Kennedy has been meeting with Republican and Democratic senators on Capitol Hill in anticipation of his confirmation hearing, the date for which has not yet been set.
    Brandy Zadrozny, NBC News, 9 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • By simply offering a shoulder to cry on, positive affirmations and prayers, and listening to their concerns, her ideals of compassion, care, and convenience are always accomplished.
    Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025
  • One idea is writing down or verbalizing positive affirmations: positive statements that boost self-regard and self-esteem.
    Mark Gurarie, Health, 10 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near assent

Cite this Entry

“Assent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assent. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

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