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acquiesce

[ak-wee-es]
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verb (used without object), ac·qui·esced, ac·qui·esc·ing.
  1. to assent tacitly; submit or comply silently or without protest; agree; consent: to acquiesce halfheartedly in a business plan.
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Origin of acquiesce

1610–20; < Latin acquiēscere to find rest in, equivalent to ac- ac- + quiē- (see quiet2) + -sc- inchoative suffix + -ere infinitive suffix
Related formsac·qui·esc·ing·ly, adverbnon·ac·qui·esc·ing, adjective

Synonyms

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accede, concur; capitulate.

Antonyms

contest, protest.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for acquiesce

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • If the minority will not acquiesce, the majority must, or the Government must cease.

  • This truth is so simple that the very ease with which we acquiesce in it robs it of its power.

  • If you do not find him, will you not acquiesce that it is best you should not find him?

    Essays, First Series

    Ralph Waldo Emerson

  • Could I not pretend to acquiesce to his wishes, and so delay your end?

    The Shame of Motley

    Raphael Sabatini

  • Domiloff, who did not expect the Duke of Reist in an hour, was forced to acquiesce.

    The Traitors

    E. Phillips (Edward Phillips) Oppenheim

British Dictionary definitions for acquiesce

acquiesce

verb
  1. (intr; often foll by in or to) to comply (with); assent (to) without protest
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Derived Formsacquiescence, nounacquiescent, adjectiveacquiescently, adverb

Word Origin

C17: from Latin acquiēscere to remain at rest, agree without protest, from ad- at + quiēscere to rest, from quiēs quiet

usage

The use of to after acquiesce was formerly regarded as incorrect, but is now acceptable
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

Word Origin and History for acquiesce

v.

1610s, from Middle French acquiescer (16c.), from Latin acquiescere "to become quiet, remain at rest," thus "be satisfied with," from ad- "to" (see ad-) + quiescere "to become quiet," from quies (genitive quietis) "rest, quiet" (see quiet (n.)). Related: Acquiesced; acquiescing.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper