acknowledge

American  

[ak-nol-ij] / ækˈnɒl ɪdʒ /

verb (used with object)

• acknowledges,
  present (3rd person singular)
• acknowledged,
  past participle,  past
• acknowledging
  present participle

1. 

   to admit to be real or true; recognize the existence, truth, or fact of.

   to acknowledge one's mistakes.

   Synonyms:

   grant, confess, concede

   Antonyms:

   disavow, disclaim, deny

2. to show or express recognition or realization of.

   to acknowledge an acquaintance by nodding.

3. to recognize the authority, validity, or claims of.

   The students acknowledged the authority of the student council.

4. to show or express appreciation or gratitude for.

   to acknowledge a favor.

5. to indicate or make known the receipt of.

   to acknowledge a letter.

6. to take notice of or reply to.

   to acknowledge a greeting.

7. Law. to confirm as binding or of legal force.

   to acknowledge a deed.

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acknowledge British  

/ əkˈnɒlɪdʒ /

verb

1. (may take a clause as object) to recognize or admit the existence, truth, or reality of

2. to indicate recognition or awareness of, as by a greeting, glance, etc

3. to express appreciation or thanks for

   to acknowledge a gift

4. to make the receipt of known to the sender

   to acknowledge a letter

5. to recognize, esp in legal form, the authority, rights, or claims of

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Synonym Usage

Acknowledge, admit, confess agree in the idea of declaring something to be true. Acknowledge implies making a statement reluctantly, often about something previously denied: to acknowledge a fault. Admit especially implies acknowledging something under pressure: to admit a charge. Confess usually means stating somewhat formally an admission of wrongdoing, crime, or shortcoming: to confess guilt; to confess an inability to understand.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• acknowledger
  noun
• preacknowledge
  verb (used with object)
• reacknowledge
  verb (used with object)
• acknowledgeable
  adjective
• unacknowledging
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Participles

• acknowledging
  present
• acknowledged
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• acknowledge
  simple
• acknowledges
  simple
• have acknowledged
  perfect
• has acknowledged
  perfect
• am acknowledging
  progressive
• are acknowledging
  progressive
• is acknowledging
  progressive
• have been acknowledging
  perfect progressive
• has been acknowledging
  perfect progressive

Past

• acknowledged
  simple
• had acknowledged
  perfect
• was acknowledging
  progressive
• were acknowledging
  progressive
• had been acknowledging
  perfect progressive

Future

• will acknowledge
  simple
• will have acknowledged
  perfect
• will be acknowledging
  progressive
• will have been acknowledging
  perfect progressive

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Etymology

Origin of acknowledge

First recorded in 1475–85; late Middle English acknowleche, apparently either Middle English aknou(en) “to recognize” + -leche, noun suffix, variant of -lac; or a blend of aknouen and knouleche knowledge; then a- was mistaken for ac-

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Explanation

To show that you know something is to acknowledge it. Waving "hello" to acknowledge a friend and nodding your head "yes" to acknowledge that you agree with what's being said are both acts showing knowledge or acceptance of someone or something. Dictionaries acknowledge that the word acknowledge has roots in the 15th and 16th centuries and is a combination of roots meaning "accord," "recognize," and "understand." Whereas "knowledge" is what you know, acknowledging is showing that you know. You might acknowledge that the world is round and that the moon is not made of cheese. You also can acknowledge, or give recognition, to the people who discovered these truths.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

acknowledge acknowledges acknowledged acknowledging

He was also struck that the agreement made no demands that Jimenez acknowledge any guilt, fault or wrongdoing, he said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 5, 2026

Officials acknowledge that the countries' commitment and contributions will depend on the circumstances of a cessation of hostilities and individual nations' political decisions.

From BBC ● Nov. 3, 2026

Forced by a restrictive immigration policy to live under a forged identity, my grandfather kept a secret that many Chinese-Americans are only now starting to acknowledge.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 1, 2026

The Center for Institutional Courage’s 12 steps call on institutions to welcome truth-tellers, respond well to disclosures, acknowledge harm and sustain the resources needed for change.

From Salon ● Oct. 26, 2026

In general, I understood that it was better for all of us not to acknowledge the hate or dwell on the risk, even when others felt compelled to bring it up.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

In his trading note dispatched to clients Wednesday, Privorotsky acknowledges that the delay or abandonment of some data centers could slow down what is labelled by investors the picks-and-shovels trade.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 4, 2026

While he acknowledges that whistleblowing about abuses is honorable and necessary, he condemns the tactics of many opponents of psychiatric treatment.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 2, 2026

Hinojosa rarely acknowledges the history-making potential of her campaign as a Latina in a state that has never elected a Latino to the governor’s mansion.

From Salon ● Nov. 2, 2026

She acknowledges some may be hesitant to try.

From BBC ● Oct. 30, 2026

That’s the first time she even acknowledges my existence.

From "I Am the Messenger" by Markus Zusak

He acknowledged that his clemency action will anger and hurt some Californians and said that it will "always weigh heavily on me".

From BBC ● Nov. 5, 2026

Even Yorkville Ives analyst Daniel Ives, known for his bullish views on the tech sector, acknowledged that he and investors have gotten “more selective” on the AI-exposed stocks that could outperform heading into next year.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 5, 2026

Vance putting out a surprisingly candid assessment of the Republican Party’s losses, while House Speaker Mike Johnson publicly acknowledged that the party had lost control of the House.

From Slate ● Nov. 5, 2026

Authorities in Tehran haven’t acknowledged the specific nature of those attacks, likely as part of the effort to suggest mines still litter the strait.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 4, 2026

At first, the guards at the gate ignored them, and when they finally acknowledged Yishan’s persistent requests, they did little more than pass the message on to a servant.

From "When the Sea Turned to Silver" by Grace Lin

Macklem said there “could be a need to raise” rates further, while acknowledging that heightened levels of uncertainty continue to hover over the Canadian economy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 3, 2026

At a shopping center overlooking snow-capped mountains, Rae Hart approached the polling station acknowledging that it could be "confusing potentially" to have a ballot featuring two Dan Sullivans.

From Barron's ● Nov. 3, 2026

The “Cruel Intentions” star posted a video on Instagram on Friday acknowledging that she has “been quiet for a couple of weeks since October 11th.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 31, 2026

It was a lighter mood coming after the King's arrival on Tuesday where he delivered a speech acknowledging the pain of the slave trade, describing "the suffering of the past".

From BBC ● Oct. 28, 2026

After some thought, Suzanne Boyd gives me an acknowledging look and says, “You know, Ed?”

From "I Am the Messenger" by Markus Zusak

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Related Words

• accept
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• endorse
• recognize
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