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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
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
  • TikTok settles federal charges of violating U.S. child-privacy laws and agrees to pay a $5.7 million fine.
    David Hamilton, Chicago Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Following blowback from county leaders, Miami Beach officials agreed to direct $10 million to the county for homeless services and provide additional funding in future years.
    Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • That shaky hold over the chamber soured hopes that there would be a quick acquiescence to putting in place a Leadership team that had the support from Trump.
    Philip Elliott, TIME, 3 Jan. 2025
  • In fact, the public acquiescence of senior officials throughout the process reaffirmed Russia’s authoritarian hierarchy and Putin’s place at its apex.
    Julian G. Waller, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2024
Verb
  • The lawsuit alleges customers were not clearly informed their data was being collected and did not consent to the practice.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 25 Jan. 2025
  • Utah’s Social Media Regulation Act added a requirement that parents consent before children can set up an account.
    Cal Newport, The New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • With approval from the groom's mother, the table was saved for her family.
    Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Washington — Senate Republicans are trudging through the process to confirm President Trump's picks for his Cabinet and top administration posts, facing delays by Democrats who are pushing back on their speedy approval.
    Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Trump also signed an executive order Monday directing the United States to again withdraw from the Paris climate agreement.
    Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2025
  • Indeed, there have been some challenges in the past 10 years negotiating this agreement.
    Charlie Campbell, TIME, 22 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • And with the acceptance comes a tacit admission of guilt or wrongdoing, even though those who have been pardoned have not been formally accused of any crimes.
    Colleen Long and Zeke Miller, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2025
  • In a symbolic image of Trump’s growing acceptance in parts of Washington, the president-elect had an extended friendly conversation with former President Obama during a state funeral for the late President Carter.
    Brett Samuels, The Hill, 20 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Some have voiced reservations, but have appeared to warm to Hegseth after meeting with him last month—and no GOP lawmakers broke ranks during his confirmation hearing last week before the Armed Services Committee.
    Sara Dorn, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
  • In his Senate confirmation hearing to become U.S. secretary of state, Florida Senator Marco Rubio cited economic sanctions on Russia as a key source of leverage that could bring about a peaceful resolution.
    Alexandra Prokopenko, Foreign Affairs, 21 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Growth — heady, unrelenting — was not only the natural order of things, but an affirmation.
    Mark Z. Barabak, The Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2025
  • For those looking to enjoy more festive treats, Van Leeuwen launched five new pints inspired by the five love languages: gift-giving, words of affirmation, physical touch, quality time and acts of service.
    Raven Brunner, People.com, 20 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near assent

Cite this Entry

“Assent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assent. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.

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