acknowledge

[ ak-nol-ij ]

verb (used with object)

, ac·knowl·edged, ac·knowl·edg·ing.

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.

acknowledge

/ 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

Derived Forms

• acˈknowledgeable, adjective
• acˈknowledger, noun

Other Words From

• ac·knowledge·a·ble adjective
• ac·knowledg·er noun
• preac·knowledge verb (used with object) preacknowledged preacknowledging
• reac·knowledge verb (used with object) reacknowledged reacknowledging
• unac·knowledg·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of acknowledge¹

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-

Word History and Origins

Origin of acknowledge¹

C15: probably from earlier knowledge, on the model of Old English oncnāwan, Middle English aknowen to confess, recognize

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

Every once in a while, they act swiftly and acknowledge the problem.

From The Daily Beast

You have to acknowledge your age and position in life, for me quite a lot of those emotionally fueled songs were hormone songs.

From The Daily Beast

Interviews in Serial (including ones from Adnan) do acknowledge that Jay was known as a resident bad boy at Woodlawn High School.

From The Daily Beast

As Kurdish leaders acknowledge, liberating Mosul is beyond the capability of the peshmerga and government forces will be needed.

From The Daily Beast

All seem to acknowledge that sexual assault is a serious problem that requires campus-wide education.

From The Daily Beast

And when he answered it, he was obliged to acknowledge that she had made upon his nature a definite impression.

From Project Gutenberg

He would impeach all his partners, acknowledge his errors, and promise once more to reform.

From Project Gutenberg

This is certainly handsome, and I acknowledge the courtesy, though I shall not accept the invitation.

From Project Gutenberg

They obeyed, and the sieur made them acknowledge the authority of his son, as Vice-Admiral in the said lands of the West.

From Project Gutenberg

"Gilbert, I am glad you acknowledge the folly of your conduct," said the farmer, breaking the painful silence.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• accept
• agree
• defend
• endorse
• recognize
• support