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

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-

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

The regulator, which received two complaints about the broadcast, said the "very significant inaccuracy" and the "considerable length of time" taken to acknowledge the error breached two of its rules.

From Barron's ● Aug. 10, 2026

More and more, people in my daily life were showing up looking completely different, and to not acknowledge that at all made me feel a little crazy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026

The court, though, did acknowledge that social media also has benefits and didn’t go as far as ordering Meta to change its algorithm and recommendations because it affects content on the platform.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 7, 2026

In stark contrast, within Fifa, the view from one Infantino loyalist is that the outcry, especially in Europe, is bordering on "hysteria", and fails to acknowledge the legitimacy he has globally.

From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2026

But, just like yesterday, Gregor didn’t acknowledge me when I got to class.

From "Keep It Together, Keiko Carter" by Debbi Michiko Florence

But she acknowledges that her distinct approach — kinder, gentler, more tearful — is rooted in her particular skill set: “It’s similar to how I responded to being led in kitchens,” she says.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026

Augenbraun acknowledges that all this preparation can take away some of the pleasure of being outdoors and that, ultimately, awareness may simply be the best defense we have at our disposal.

From Slate ● Aug. 6, 2026

While TJ acknowledges her family is fortunate enough to afford it, she says the sticker shock from inflation is real — and it’s changing how she shops for everyday essentials.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 6, 2026

Still, Mr. Dais says he knows students who tried Success Academy and left, and he opposes lifting the state’s cap on the number of charters, even as he acknowledges their agility.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026

Tori acknowledges Marlene with a nod and scans the crowd for another recommendation.

From "Insurgent" by Veronica Roth

He acknowledged as much as the trade deadline neared.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026

While Paramount executives have privately acknowledged discussing a move from California, the studio’s home for more than a century, Delrahim’s remarks are the first time the company has publicly acknowledged the possibility.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 12, 2026

However, he acknowledged that a lack of clarity surrounding its future spending plans means that “the possible range of outcomes is wider.”

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 11, 2026

The Argentine coached Iraola at Athletic Club between 2011 and 2013 and, speaking to Sky Sports in 2023, the Liverpool boss acknowledged this influence.

From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026

She also feared that the full breadth of his achievements might never be publicly acknowledged, due to government secrecy.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield

The streamer also says the badge will relate to the "artist's public identity" and not about "how the music was made", acknowledging that AI tools are being used in some human music creation now.

From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026

They told her to take down the post and asked her to sign a letter acknowledging she had been informed that she “may” have violated federal law with her social-media account.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026

Regional and Western governments welcomed the proposal’s announcement while acknowledging the difficulties facing its implementation.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 31, 2026

He responded by touting the companies’ “overlap” and collaboration, before acknowledging that he can’t discuss corporate combinations on an earnings call and allowing Tesla’s general counsel to step in.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 27, 2026

Ikwa stared up at me with a penetrating look, like he was acknowledging my coming betrayal.

From "Endangered" by Eliot Schrefer

Related Words

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