acquiesce

USAGE SUMMARY

"acquiesce" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe someone accepting or agreeing to something reluctantly, often because they don't have any other choice. Example: Eventually, she had to acquiesce to her parents' demands and move back home.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's marketed as a treat, the cherry on top once you finally acquiesce to the will of our corporate overlords and cough up for permanent next-day delivery.

The Guardian

He claims they pathologised his erudition and his refusal to acquiesce.

The Guardian

In a piece for Slate this week, David Haglund describes Amy's "Cool Girl" diatribe – in which she lays bare her contempt for the men who expect their female partners to acquiesce to their desires – as "the cultural legacy of the book", but goes on to point out that in the film version, it's the women who pretend to be those "cool girls" who become the target.

The Guardian - Film

But for the moment, there is no sign that Mr Wahid is ready to go quietly and acquiesce in a smooth transition.

The Economist

(After a hearing earlier this month, most observers believe that the judges will acquiesce).

The Economist

Sir Stelios hinted that if the chairman, Sir Colin Chandler, refused to acquiesce, he would reassume the chairmanship himself, as he is entitled to do.In this section A gathering storm?

The Economist

Jean-Claude Trichet did acquiesce to critics for this month, at least; as anticipated, the ECB knocked 50 basis points off its key interest rate, taking it to 1.5%.

The Economist

"Every shepherd will be a fighter, every village a killing cell," swears Ezzat Ibrahim, a senior official, in announcing the referendum results.And if the attack comes?Despite the pervasive public anxiety and the government's bravado, some foreign analysts reckon that most Iraqis would acquiesce in "regime change", even one instigated from outside.

The Economist

They are unlikely to join a government, but might however acquiesce in a minority UNP administration.

The Economist

This matters because that view underpins his patient pursuit of allies and his reluctance to go to war.In his 1995 autobiography, "My American Journey", Mr Powell wrote: "Many in my generation [of Vietnam war officers] vowed that when our turn came to call the shots, we would not quietly acquiesce in half-hearted warfare for half-baked reasons that the American people could not understand".

The Economist

Of course, Russia will continue to reject any protests as it did over Mr Khodorkovsky's sentence but if the Europeans are silent, Mr Putin will assume that they acquiesce.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "acquiesce" when you want to convey a sense of reluctant acceptance or agreement, often implying a lack of enthusiasm or initial resistance.

Common error

Avoid using "acquiesce" when you mean enthusiastic agreement. It specifically implies a degree of reluctance or passive acceptance, not eager support.

Linguistic Context

The verb "acquiesce" functions as an intransitive verb, often followed by prepositions like "to" or "in". It indicates the act of accepting or complying with something, usually unwillingly. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct term to use in your writings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "acquiesce" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb that indicates reluctant acceptance or compliance. As Ludwig AI pointed out, it's a correct term for your writing needs. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, "acquiesce" carries a formal tone, implying a degree of unwillingness or passive submission. When writing, be mindful of this nuance and choose "acquiesce" when you specifically want to convey that someone is giving in despite their reservations. For more willing agreement, consider alternatives like "agree" or "consent". Remember that while widely accepted, using "acquiesce" accurately will enhance the precision and sophistication of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reluctantly agree

Emphasizes the lack of enthusiasm in accepting something.

passively accept

Highlights the lack of active resistance in agreeing.

consent without protest

Focuses on the absence of any objection during agreement.

submit silently

Stresses the quiet and submissive nature of the agreement.

yield unwillingly

Highlights the reluctance and lack of desire to comply.

grudgingly concede

Implies a resentful or bitter yielding to something.

bow to pressure

Suggests agreement is a result of external influence.

defer to authority

Emphasizes agreement based on respect for a higher power.

give in reluctantly

Focuses on the initial resistance before eventually agreeing.

comply without objection

Highlights that there isn't a sign of disagreement during compliance.

FAQs

How do you use "acquiesce" in a sentence?

"Acquiesce" means to accept something reluctantly but without protest. For example, "He had to "acquiesce" to their demands despite his initial objections."

What can I say instead of "acquiesce"?

You can use alternatives like "reluctantly agree", "passively accept", or "consent without protest" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "acquiesce" and "agree"?

"Agree" generally implies a willing acceptance, while "acquiesce" suggests a more reluctant or passive acceptance. When someone "acquiesces", they are often submitting to something they don't fully support.

Is "acquiesce" formal or informal?

"Acquiesce" is generally considered a formal term. In informal settings, simpler alternatives like "give in" or "go along with" might be more appropriate.