consent 1 of 2

Definition of consentnext

consent

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word consent distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of consent are accede, acquiesce, agree, assent, and subscribe. While all these words mean "to concur with what has been proposed," consent involves the will or feelings and indicates compliance with what is requested or desired.

consented to their daughter's going

When could accede be used to replace consent?

In some situations, the words accede and consent are roughly equivalent. However, accede implies a yielding, often under pressure, of assent or consent.

officials acceded to the prisoners' demands

When would acquiesce be a good substitute for consent?

The words acquiesce and consent can be used in similar contexts, but acquiesce implies tacit acceptance or forbearance of opposition.

acquiesced to his boss's wishes

Where would agree be a reasonable alternative to consent?

While the synonyms agree and consent are close in meaning, agree sometimes implies previous difference of opinion or attempts at persuasion.

finally agreed to come along

When might assent be a better fit than consent?

The synonyms assent and consent are sometimes interchangeable, but assent implies an act involving the understanding or judgment and applies to propositions or opinions.

voters assented to the proposal

When can subscribe be used instead of consent?

The words subscribe and consent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 consent
Noun
In addition, Bathula used video surveillance software installed on their computers to spy on coworkers, secretly recording the victims at work and at home without their consent. Cbs Baltimore Staff, CBS News, 2 May 2026 For example, in the Acting categories, only roles credited in the film’s legal billing and demonstrably performed by humans with their consent will be considered eligible. Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 1 May 2026
Verb
Property owners would need to consent to the murals by signing installation and easement agreements with the village. Jennifer Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026 Under the agreement, Iran consented to limit its use of advanced centrifuges for 10 years, and to restrict uranium enrichment to below weapons-grade levels for 15 years. Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for consent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consent
Noun
  • Taiwan blamed China for blocking the trip, accusing Beijing of forcing the African nations to deny permission for Lai’s aircraft to pass through their airspace.
    Rebecca Schneid, Time, 4 May 2026
  • Authorities in the West African island nation have denied the MV Hondius permission to dock at the port of Praia as a precautionary measure, complicating efforts to evacuate sick passengers and provide urgent medical care.
    Antonio MarĂ­a Delgado, Miami Herald, 4 May 2026
Verb
  • Switzerland voted to enshrine the availability of cash in its constitution, assenting to a push designed to guard against the demise of physical money.
    Bastian Benrath-Wright, Bloomberg, 8 Mar. 2026
  • Moderna resisted, but agreed to provide test subjects with enhanced disclosures on its informed consent form, to which the FDA assented.
    Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • And what's more, the president’s claim at the outset of your segment that no president has sought an authorization to use force is also simply wrong.
    NBC news, NBC news, 3 May 2026
  • Secretary Hegseth told your committee that the administration doesn't need congressional authorization to continue the war past 60 days because the clock pauses because of the ceasefire.
    ABC News, ABC News, 3 May 2026
Verb
  • But Adams, his political rival, seemed to agree.
    Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
  • Hezbollah had maintained a robust presence of fighters south of the river for decades, but under a previous ceasefire deal with Israel, agreed to pull back its forces north of the waterway.
    Charbel Mallo, CNN Money, 3 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Consent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consent. Accessed 8 May. 2026.

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