acknowledge

[ ak-nol-ij ]

See synonyms for acknowledge on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),ac·knowl·edged, ac·knowl·edg·ing.

to admit to be real or true; recognize the existence, truth, or fact of: to acknowledge one's mistakes.
to show or express recognition or realization of: to acknowledge an acquaintance by nodding.

to recognize the authority, validity, or claims of: The students acknowledged the authority of the student council.
to show or express appreciation or gratitude for: to acknowledge a favor.
to indicate or make known the receipt of: to acknowledge a letter.
to take notice of or reply to: to acknowledge a greeting.
Law. to confirm as binding or of legal force: to acknowledge a deed.

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-

synonym study For acknowledge

1. 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 words for acknowledge

1	concede, confess, grant

See synonyms for acknowledge on Thesaurus.com

Opposites for acknowledge

1	deny, disclaim, disavow

See antonyms for acknowledge on Thesaurus.com

Other words from acknowledge

ac·knowl·edge·a·ble, adjective
ac·knowl·edg·er, noun
pre·ac·knowl·edge, verb (used with object), pre·ac·knowl·edged, pre·ac·knowl·edg·ing.
re·ac·knowl·edge, verb (used with object), re·ac·knowl·edged, re·ac·knowl·edg·ing.
un·ac·knowl·edg·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use acknowledge in a sentence

For most of us, acknowledging that America has a gun violence problem is stating a fact.
The NRA’s Twisted List for Santa | John Feinblatt | December 23, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The culture of solidarity for teachers as workers prevented acknowledging some teachers as more accomplished than others.
Your Local School Doesn’t Have to Suck | Michael S. Roth | December 17, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
After acknowledging that there has been a “bend in the curve” and a reason to hope, he warned against inaction.
Millions Promised for Ebola Not Adding Up | Abby Haglage | November 25, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
This,” Biden added, “is about acknowledging the most trusted man in journalism.
Kissy-Face The Nation: Washington’s Power Elite Smooch Bob Schieffer | Lloyd Grove | November 18, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Then, in acknowledging her husband, Jiang Shan: “You are a nice guy,” she says.
Tennis Star Li Na Says Goodbye to the Court…and Puts the Sport’s Rise in Asia in Question | Nicholas McCarvel | September 19, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST

In conclusion, I must distress my friend J. M. Barrie (who gave me a first chance) by acknowledging my great debt to him.
First Plays | A. A. Milne
They pray for mercy, acknowledging that they are justly punished for forsaking true wisdom.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version | Various
Grace arose, an angry flush on her face, and barely acknowledging his greeting, turned to go.
The Courier of the Ozarks | Byron A. Dunn
But to challenge reason as a judge of faith, is it not acknowledging that reason can not agree with faith?
Superstition In All Ages (1732) | Jean Meslier
He carried himself with true appreciation of the incident, acknowledging more by look than by sign this courtesy.
When Valmond Came to Pontiac, Complete | Gilbert Parker

British Dictionary definitions for acknowledge

acknowledge

/ (əkˈnɒlɪdʒ) /

verb(tr)

(may take a clause as object) to recognize or admit the existence, truth, or reality of
to indicate recognition or awareness of, as by a greeting, glance, etc

to express appreciation or thanks for: to acknowledge a gift
to make the receipt of known to the sender: to acknowledge a letter
to recognize, esp in legal form, the authority, rights, or claims of

Origin of acknowledge

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

Derived forms of acknowledge

acknowledgeable, adjective
acknowledger, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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