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Synonyms

recognize

American

[rek-uhg-nahyz] / ˈrɛk əgˌnaɪz /

especially British, recognise

verb (used with object)

to identify as something or someone previously seen, known, etc..

He had changed so much that one could scarcely recognize him.
to identify from knowledge of appearance or characteristics.

I recognized him from the description.
They recognized him as a fraud.
to perceive as existing or true; realize.

to be the first to recognize a fact.

Synonyms:

concede, grant, understand, appreciate, acknowledge
to acknowledge as the person entitled to speak at a particular time.

The Speaker recognized the congressman from Maine.
to acknowledge formally as entitled to treatment as a political unit.

The United States promptly recognized Israel.
to acknowledge or accept formally a specified factual or legal situation.

to recognize a successful revolutionary regime as the de facto government of the country.
to acknowledge or treat as valid.

to recognize a claim.
to acknowledge acquaintance with, as by a greeting, handshake, etc.
to show appreciation of (achievement, service, merit, etc.), as by some reward, public honor, or the like.
Law. to acknowledge (an illegitimate child) as one's own.
Biochemistry, Immunology. to bind with, cleave, or otherwise react to (another substance) as a result of fitting its molecular shape or a portion of its shape.

recognize British

/ ˈrɛkəɡˌnaɪz /

verb

to perceive (a person, creature, or thing) to be the same as or belong to the same class as something previously seen or known; know again
to accept or be aware of (a fact, duty, problem, etc)

to recognize necessity
to give formal acknowledgment of the status or legality of (a government, an accredited representative, etc)
to grant (a person) the right to speak in a deliberative body, debate, etc
to give a token of thanks for (a service rendered, etc)
to make formal acknowledgment of (a claim, etc)
to show approval or appreciation of (something good or pleasing)
to acknowledge or greet (a person), as when meeting by chance
(intr) to enter into a recognizance

"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

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Participles

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of recognize

First recorded in 1425–75; recogn(ition) ( def. ) + -ize ( def. ); replacing late Middle English racunnysen, recognisen, from Old French reconuiss-, stem of reconuistre, from Latin recognōscere, equivalent to re- re- ( def. ) + cognōscere “to know ¹ ( def. ) ”; see cognition ( def. )

Explanation

When, at a meeting, you wave your hand wildly, you want to be recognized. When the chairperson finally says, “I recognize the man who is about to fall out of his seat,” don't forget what you wanted to say. The verb recognize comes from the Latin root words re (again) and cognoscere (to know) – literally “to know again” or “to identify.” If your own identical twin doesn't recognize you, you might be wearing too much makeup. Recognize can also mean “to acknowledge” or “to appreciate.” When you recognize the donors for their generous contributions to your fundraising event, your parents say, “You're welcome.”

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing recognize

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The SAT: Multiple-Meaning Words, List 4

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

recognize recognizes recognized recognizing

"We recognize that sometimes its signature was written in pencil."

From Barron's ● Aug. 22, 2026

Carney said Saturday that his government had made the decision to impose tariffs of its own “reluctantly, because we recognize that it will raise costs and reduce choice for Canadians.”

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 22, 2026

If that call or meeting is on your schedule, then the system will recognize that you are busy offline.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 20, 2026

Participants therefore had to recognize that the associations had changed, learn the new ones, and respond with the correct button using the appropriate hand and finger.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 20, 2026

Even through the blur, I recognize the smarmy anchor who first reported the news about Mom.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller

“LIV Golf recognizes the disappointment these changes may bring for fans, local stakeholders, Thomas Rhett and Disco Lines, and appreciates the significant time and effort invested by the artists and their teams,” the league said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 22, 2026

Keitel’s Feraud keeps provoking the feud; Carradine’s D’Hubert recognizes its madness but remains too bound by the same code of honor to walk away.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2026

It’s as if he recognizes that so much recent blockbuster filmmaking has been about embedding heart-wrenching pathos into the nostalgic elements we know and love.

From Salon ● Aug. 20, 2026

Because the federal government recognizes same-sex marriage, this advice should apply to both opposite-sex and same-sex couples.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 12, 2026

“And now that we’ve recognized outstanding students in each subject area, it’s time for the award that recognizes outstanding achievement across all subject areas,” Dr. Cohen says.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison

Her data analysis has contributed to visual projects shortlisted for the 2026 Sigma Awards and recognized with two bronze awards by the Society for News Design.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 22, 2026

A jury member said he recognized the youngster's potential from the moment he clapped eyes on his red Cars-themed Lightning McQueen shorts and clogs.

From Barron's ● Aug. 22, 2026

Zambada’s attorney, Frank Perez, told The Times that his client recognized Jando — and feared the flight would be his last.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026

It is commonly present in yogurt and is generally recognized as a safe, off-the-shelf probiotic.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 19, 2026

After removing some of the armor and grime, the man recognized Don Alonso and decided to take him back to town.

From "Adventures of Don Quixote" by Argentina Palacios

Its products also recently started recognizing designated people and alerting the homeowner.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026

That narrow and sensational definition is precisely what keeps women from recognizing and/or reporting their symptoms.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026

Her offense is recognizing the truth that differences between men and women are real and substantive.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 10, 2026

“However, as a proponent of innovation and recognizing that the industry at large has fallen behind the times in so many respects, I applaud the innovation of Churchill Downs Inc. and NYRA.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2026

I clap my hands over my ears, recognizing my own voice in theirs, my pleas to the Commandant.

From "An Ember in the Ashes" by Sabaa Tahir

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023