Acquiescing: meaning, definitions and examples

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acquiescing

[ˌækwiˈesɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

in a conversation

To acquiesce means to accept or agree to something, often without protest. It implies a passive acceptance rather than enthusiastic approval.

Synonyms

comply, concede, yield.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
acquiescing	Used when someone agrees or accepts something reluctantly but without protest. It's often used in formal or serious situations. After a long debate, she ended up acquiescing to the committee's decision. Though initially opposed, he found himself acquiescing to the changes.
comply	Typically used in situations where rules, requests, or demands are met or followed. It's common in formal, legal, or professional contexts. All employees must comply with the company policies. He was warned to comply with the court order.
concede	This often implies reluctantly accepting something as true after first denying or resisting it. It's commonly used in the context of debates, arguments, or competitions. After seeing the evidence, she had to concede that she was wrong. He finally conceded defeat after a tough match.
yield	Used in situations where someone gives way to pressure, superior strength, or authority. It can also refer to physical movement, such as cars yielding to pedestrians. Under the pressure from the board, he decided to yield his position. Drivers are required to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks.

Examples of usage

She nodded, acquiescing to his request.
He acquiesced to their decision, even though he didn't fully agree.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

in a legal context

In legal terms, to acquiesce means to accept or agree to something by remaining silent or not taking action.

Synonyms

agree, consent, endorse.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
acquiescing	Used when someone is passively agreeing to something without protest, often reluctantly or without enthusiasm. She acquiesced to the new company policy, even though she didn't agree with it. He acquiesced to his parents' wishes to study law.
consent	Used in formal or legal settings when someone gives permission or approval for something to happen. She gave her consent for the surgery. The form requires parental consent for participation.
agree	Generally used when two or more parties have the same opinion or decision about something. I agree with your plan to improve the team. They both agreed that it was time to go home.
endorse	Used when supporting or publicly approving a person, product, or idea, often for promotional purposes. The celebrity endorsed the new skincare line. The committee endorsed the candidate for the upcoming election.

Examples of usage

By not objecting, he was deemed to have acquiesced to the terms of the contract.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'acquiescere', which means 'to rest' or 'to be quiet'.
It combines 'ad-' (to) and 'quies' (rest), suggesting a sense of settling down into agreement.
It has been part of the English language since the late 16th century, reflecting a trend towards more diplomatic language.

Psychology

Acquiescing can be linked to a desire for social harmony, where individuals prefer agreement over conflict.
People may acquiesce due to peer pressure, wanting to fit in or avoid backlash.
Research shows that acquiescing can sometimes lead to a reduction in cognitive dissonance, helping individuals to feel more comfortable in their decisions.

Literature

In many literary works, characters who acquiesce can symbolize passive acceptance of fate or societal norms.
Famous authors like Shakespeare often depicted characters that faced dilemmas, reflecting themes of acceptance versus resistance.
The tragedy of Achilles in Greek mythology illustrates the consequences of both acquiescing and resisting fate.

Politics

Throughout history, acquiescing to authority has played a role in various political movements, often leading to significant social change.
In democracies, acquiescence can come from the public accepting policies without opposition, sometimes leading to controversial outcomes.
The concept links to ideas of consent and compliance, as seen in discussions about civil rights and the extent of government power.

Cultural Context

Different cultures have various attitudes toward acquiescing; some may view it as wise patience, while others see it as weakness.
In collectivist societies, acquiescing can be viewed positively, maintaining group harmony over individual expression.
Cultural narratives often depict acquiescing as a strategy for survival in difficult situations, like in war or during oppression.

Translations

Translations of the word "acquiescing" in other languages:

🇵🇹 concordando

🇮🇳 स्वीकृति देना

🇩🇪 einwilligend

🇮🇩 menyetujui

🇺🇦 погоджуючись

🇵🇱 przyzwalający

🇯🇵 黙認する

🇫🇷 acquiesçant

🇪🇸 consintiendo

🇹🇷 razı olarak

🇰🇷 묵인하는

🇸🇦 الموافقة

🇨🇿 souhlasící

🇸🇰 súhlasný

🇨🇳 默许

🇸🇮 pristajajoč

🇮🇸 samþykjandi

🇰🇿 келісетін

🇬🇪 თანხმობა

🇦🇿 razılaşan

🇲🇽 consintiendo

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,854, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

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29851 venules
29852 novae
29853 fondled
29854 acquiescing
29855 overkill
29856 geneticist
29857 fungicidal
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