assent 1 of 2

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
These agreements encourage assenting parties to perform due diligence, helping to identify potential gaps in the data protection chain. Chris Novak, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025 Jordan’s king cannot assent to Mr. Trump’s plan without risking the ire of different important elements of his country’s population. Ephrat Livni, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025
Noun
Luna obtained the 218 discharge petition signatures needed to force a vote with or without Johnson's assent — including from a dozen Republicans. Andrew Solender, Axios, 1 Apr. 2025 In late 2023, Congress passed a law prohibiting the president from doing this without congressional assent—a bill that, ironically, was cosponsored by then Senator Marco Rubio, who is now Trump’s secretary of state. Ivo H. Daalder, Foreign Affairs, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for assent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assent
Verb
  • Snyder agreed that weather remains a major concern for summer travel, and the usual advice for dealing with that applies.
    Zach Wichter, USA Today, 29 May 2025
  • The Supreme Court agreed, in the case known as Humphrey’s Executor v. United States, finding that Congress had the authority to protect commissioners against Presidential dismissal.
    Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 29 May 2025
Noun
  • The scene goes on at length, Fanny taking and twisting every one of her husband’s arguments into so many knots he is left tongue-tied, all opposition mute, all acquiescence complete.
    Natalie Jenner May 6, Literary Hub, 6 May 2025
  • In a post-American Europe, Moscow would establish a patchwork of individual relationships with European countries, confronting some with territorial threats and gray-zone tactics (such as disinformation campaigns) and rewarding others for their acquiescence with cheap energy.
    Liana Fix, Foreign Affairs, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • Kyiv agreed in March to a 30-day full ceasefire, but Moscow has not yet consented to the deal.
    Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
  • The prayer or reading of religious text must be away from other students whose parents haven’t consented, according to the bill.
    Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 May 2025
Noun
  • The bestselling book The Courage to Be Disliked reinforces this truth, showing how freedom comes from accepting yourself rather than seeking others' approval.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
  • The water company serving most of the Boise area just won approval to raise its rates.
    Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 3 June 2025
Noun
  • Another item that could go before the commission on June 12 is an agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement that would deputize city police officers with immigration enforcement powers.
    Tess Riski, Miami Herald, 4 June 2025
  • While there was agreement to exchange more prisoners, Moscow and Kyiv remain deeply divided over how to bring the costly and bitter Ukraine war to an end.
    Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 3 June 2025
Noun
  • Success here builds acceptance and enthusiasm for more advanced implementations. 8.
    Andrew Mawson, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
  • Changes His Mind About COVID Vaccine Approximately 61 percent of respondents reported a fair amount of acceptance for people who are gay or lesbian, and roughly 52 percent said the same regarding bisexual individuals.
    Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
Noun
  • When The Athletic asked for confirmation, the customer service representative stated that this was an original without any restorations.
    Elias Burke, New York Times, 1 June 2025
  • Senator Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, arrives for a Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing in Dirksen building on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.
    Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 June 2025
Noun
  • Centered around the values of individuality, diversity and authenticity, this mantra resonated deeply with young consumers’ desires for both identity expression and style affirmation.
    Footwear News, Footwear News, 23 May 2025
  • That kind of affirmation becomes fuel for your people not just to stay in the game but to put points on the board.
    Mark Nevins, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Assent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assent. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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