acknowledge

[ak-nol-ij]

verb (used with object)

acknowledged, acknowledging 

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

Other Word Forms

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

He acknowledged that Meta could increase its capital expenditures at a faster rate than rivals, and that the company will be putting a greater portion of its revenue toward these AI costs as well.

Read more on MarketWatch

The team at Morgan Stanley acknowledges that some of their views are aren’t the consensus, including another big reason for bullishness: the earnings outlook.

Read more on Barron's

Kingsbury acknowledged that strategy had turned off shoppers and moved to restore some of those categories before he stepped down in January.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

They said was not the first time waste had accumulated outside the property in Frampton Road, in Gorseinon, but despite Swansea Council acknowledging the mess, "nothing has changed".

Read more on BBC

He acknowledges that shares in Australia’s largest bank have significantly underperformed relative to peers over 2025, but expects this to continue.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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