Acquiesce means to accept or agree to something reluctantly but without protest.
Definition
- Part of speech: verb
- Pronunciation: (ak-wee-ES) or /ˌækwiˈɛs/
- Meaning: to submit or comply quietly; to give tacit consent even if not fully happy about it.
Examples
- She acquiesced to the committee’s decision despite her doubts.
- Faced with little choice, he acquiesced in the new policy.
Synonyms
- consent, comply, submit, yield, give in
Antonyms
- resist, oppose, protest, refuse
Related forms
- acquiescence (noun) — the act of acquiescing
- acquiescent (adjective) — willing to acquiesce
Usage note
Common constructions: acquiesce in (a decision, situation) or acquiesce to (a request, demand). The word implies passive acceptance rather than enthusiastic agreement.
Etymology
From Latin acquiēscere meaning “to rest, be content.”