acquiesced to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "acquiesced to" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to agree passively to something or to accept something without protest. For example, "When his parents asked him to return to school, he acquiesced to their wishes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The overwhelming majority acquiesced to the unspeakable.

The New York Times

Stay silent and you have acquiesced to whatever happened.

The New Yorker

Browner nonetheless acquiesced to pose for a photograph with her.

The New Yorker

But the Governor has acquiesced to those increases.

The New York Times

But even when Ms. Aronson acquiesced to Mr. Allen's vision, the movie almost didn't get made.

The New York Times

When Torres acquiesced to Roof's advice, the difference in his play was stark.

The New York Times - Sports

Soon the Confederates acquiesced to Butler's demands and "unconditionally surrendered" the forts and 615 soldiers.

The New York Times

The foundation acquiesced to a less-prominent acknowledgment than the stone wall near the bust.

The New York Times

In life, she had been afraid of him & had always acquiesced to his wishes.

The New Yorker

He became a domineering influence in her life, while she acquiesced to his demands.

The New Yorker

Franklin Roosevelt had already acquiesced to the French in the matter of Vietnam.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "acquiesced to" to convey a sense of passive agreement, where the subject accepts something without active resistance or enthusiasm. It's suitable when highlighting a lack of explicit approval.

Common error

Avoid using "acquiesced to" when you want to express genuine enthusiasm or proactive agreement. This phrase implies a degree of reluctance or passive acceptance, which is unsuitable if the subject is actually eager or supportive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acquiesced to" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating the action of reluctantly agreeing or submitting to something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

11%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "acquiesced to" is a grammatically correct phrase that signifies passive agreement or reluctant acceptance. As confirmed by Ludwig AI and supported by numerous examples from sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, it's commonly used in news and media. When writing, use "acquiesced to" to emphasize that someone accepted something without enthusiasm, and be mindful not to use it when intending to convey genuine agreement or support. Consider alternatives like "consented to" or "agreed to" when a more willing agreement is intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consented to

Indicates a more willing agreement than "acquiesced to".

agreed to

A more general term for agreement, lacking the passive implication of "acquiesced to".

complied with

Suggests obedience to a rule or request, rather than passive acceptance.

submitted to

Implies a yielding to authority or force, often reluctantly.

conceded to

Suggests giving in after some resistance or debate.

yielded to

Similar to 'submitted to', but can also mean giving way to pressure or influence.

accepted

A broader term that simply means to take something offered or to believe something is true.

gave in to

Implies a surrender after holding out against something.

deferred to

Indicates respect for another's opinion or authority, leading to agreement.

signed off on

Suggests formal approval or endorsement, often in a business context.

FAQs

How to use "acquiesced to" in a sentence?

Use "acquiesced to" when a person or entity accepts something passively, without protest. For example: "The company "acquiesced to" the new regulations after initial resistance."

What can I say instead of "acquiesced to"?

You can use alternatives like "consented to", "agreed to", or "complied with", depending on the context and the degree of willingness you want to convey.

Which is correct, "acquiesced to" or "acquiesced with"?

"Acquiesced to" is the correct and standard usage. "Acquiesced with" is not grammatically correct. The verb 'acquiesce' takes 'to' as a preposition.

What's the difference between "acquiesced to" and "agreed to"?

"Agreed to" implies a more active and willing agreement, while "acquiesced to" suggests a passive acceptance, often without enthusiasm or with some degree of reluctance. For instance, someone might "agree to" a proposal because they support it, but "acquiesce to" a demand because they feel they have no other choice.