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acknowledge

verb
ac·​knowl·​edge | \ ik-ˈnĂ€-lij How to pronounce acknowledge (audio) , ak-\
acknowledged; acknowledging

Definition of acknowledge

transitive verb

1 : to recognize the rights, authority, or status of They acknowledged him as their leader.
2 : to disclose knowledge of or agreement with She readily acknowledged her mistake.
3a : to express gratitude or obligation for acknowledge a gift
b : to take notice of failed to acknowledge my greeting
c : to make known the receipt of acknowledge a letter
4 : to recognize as genuine or valid acknowledge a debt
Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about acknowledge

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Synonyms & Antonyms for acknowledge

Synonyms

admit, agree, allow, concede, confess, fess (up), grant, own (up to)

Antonyms

deny

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Choose the Right Synonym for acknowledge

acknowledge, admit, own, avow, confess mean to disclose against one's will or inclination. acknowledge implies the disclosing of something that has been or might be concealed. acknowledged an earlier peccadillo admit implies reluctance to disclose, grant, or concede and refers usually to facts rather than their implications. admitted the project was over budget own implies acknowledging something in close relation to oneself. must own I know little about computers avow implies boldly declaring, often in the face of hostility, what one might be expected to be silent about. avowed that he was a revolutionary confess may apply to an admission of a weakness, failure, omission, or guilt. confessed a weakness for sweets

Examples of acknowledge in a Sentence

They acknowledged that the decision was a mistake. Do you acknowledge that you caused this mess? They readily acknowledged their mistake. She won't acknowledge responsibility for her actions. He quickly acknowledges all of my e-mails when he receives them. Please acknowledge receipt of this letter. She acknowledged the gift with a card. She acknowledged his greeting with a smile.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 The compulsory request was received on August 30, the company said in a notice to investors, which also acknowledged a looming antitrust investigation by dozens of state attorneys general. — Brian Fung, CNN, "Google hit by DOJ demand for antitrust records," 6 Sep. 2019 Brennan acknowledged that the city has never held a landlord or tenant education seminar. — Leila Atassi, cleveland.com, "Even a prominent lawyer, landlord didn’t know University Heights bans discrimination against housing vouchers. Should we blame the city?," 5 Sep. 2019 Medical and public health officials have lambasted Sears’ approach to vaccines, which are widely acknowledged to be one of the most important medical developments of the 20th century. — Los Angeles Times, "Dr. Bob Sears’ views on vaccines have inspired loyal followers — and a crush of criticism," 3 Sep. 2019 Still, Neri acknowledges that not everyone is going to make it through the transition. — Sean Gallagher, Ars Technica, "Antonio Neri and Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s cultural revolution," 2 Sep. 2019 Harvard’s earliest presidents had slaves living and working in their residences, a fact publicly acknowledged by the school only in 2016, when a plaque was unveiled in their memory on campus. — Murray Whyte, BostonGlobe.com, "On the walls at Harvard museums, calling out art’s racist, sexist history," 31 Aug. 2019 The 49ers are unlikely to have wideout Trent Taylor (foot) for the Tampa Bay game, and Shanahan acknowledged injuries to Taylor and Hurd could mean the 49ers carry seven wide receivers on their initial 53-man roster. — Eric Branch, SFChronicle.com, "49ers’ Jalen Hurd unlikely to play in season opener," 30 Aug. 2019 But Levy missed his esophageal cancer, VA officials would acknowledge in a phone call earlier this year to his daughter, Tina Carter, of southern Illinois. — Anchorage Daily News, "How Veterans Affairs failed to stop a pathologist who misdiagnosed 3,000 cases," 30 Aug. 2019 The National Institutes of Health acknowledges that 30% of users develop dependence and withdrawal symptoms with the long-term use of marijuana. — Sandra Woien, The Conversation, "Should investors buy marijuana stocks?," 29 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'acknowledge.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of acknowledge

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for acknowledge

ac- (in acknow "to confess knowledge of," going back to Middle English aknowen, going back to Old English oncnāwan, acnāwan "to know, recognize, admit, confess," from a-, on-, prefixal use of on on entry 1 + cnāwan "to know entry 1") + knowledge

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More Definitions for acknowledge

acknowledge

verb
How to pronounce acknowledge (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of acknowledge

: to say that you accept or do not deny the truth or existence of (something)
: to regard or describe (someone or something) as having or deserving a particular status
: to tell or show someone that something (such as a letter or message) has been received

See the full definition for acknowledge in the English Language Learners Dictionary

acknowledge

verb
ac·​knowl·​edge | \ ik-ˈnĂ€-lij How to pronounce acknowledge (audio) , ak-\
acknowledged; acknowledging

Kids Definition of acknowledge

1 : to admit the truth or existence of They acknowledged their mistake.
2 : to make known that something has been received or noticed He refuses to acknowledge my generosity.
3 : to recognize the rights or authority of They acknowledged her as captain.
4 : to express thanks or appreciation for acknowledge a gift

acknowledge

transitive verb
ac·​knowl·​edge
acknowledged; acknowledging

Legal Definition of acknowledge

1 : to indicate recognition and acceptance of the power of taxation in the general and state governments is acknowledged

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