consent 1 of 2

Definition of consentnext

consent

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word consent distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of consent are accede, acquiesce, agree, assent, and subscribe. While all these words mean "to concur with what has been proposed," consent involves the will or feelings and indicates compliance with what is requested or desired.

consented to their daughter's going

When could accede be used to replace consent?

In some situations, the words accede and consent are roughly equivalent. However, accede implies a yielding, often under pressure, of assent or consent.

officials acceded to the prisoners' demands

When would acquiesce be a good substitute for consent?

The words acquiesce and consent can be used in similar contexts, but acquiesce implies tacit acceptance or forbearance of opposition.

acquiesced to his boss's wishes

Where would agree be a reasonable alternative to consent?

While the synonyms agree and consent are close in meaning, agree sometimes implies previous difference of opinion or attempts at persuasion.

finally agreed to come along

When might assent be a better fit than consent?

The synonyms assent and consent are sometimes interchangeable, but assent implies an act involving the understanding or judgment and applies to propositions or opinions.

voters assented to the proposal

When can subscribe be used instead of consent?

The words subscribe and consent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, subscribe implies not only consent or assent but hearty approval and active support.

subscribes wholeheartedly to the idea

How is the word consent distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of consent are accede, acquiesce, agree, assent, and subscribe. While all these words mean "to concur with what has been proposed," consent involves the will or feelings and indicates compliance with what is requested or desired.

consented to their daughter's going

When could accede be used to replace consent?

In some situations, the words accede and consent are roughly equivalent. However, accede implies a yielding, often under pressure, of assent or consent.

officials acceded to the prisoners' demands

When would acquiesce be a good substitute for consent?

The words acquiesce and consent can be used in similar contexts, but acquiesce implies tacit acceptance or forbearance of opposition.

acquiesced to his boss's wishes

Where would agree be a reasonable alternative to consent?

While the synonyms agree and consent are close in meaning, agree sometimes implies previous difference of opinion or attempts at persuasion.

finally agreed to come along

When might assent be a better fit than consent?

The synonyms assent and consent are sometimes interchangeable, but assent implies an act involving the understanding or judgment and applies to propositions or opinions.

voters assented to the proposal

When can subscribe be used instead of consent?

The words subscribe and consent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, subscribe implies not only consent or assent but hearty approval and active support.

subscribes wholeheartedly to the idea

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of consent
Noun
The lawsuit claims Android devices were sending information back to Google servers without clear user consent. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2026 The initiative does not address healthcare for minors, but Idaho law requires parental consent for the vast majority of minors’ treatments. Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
Mentally ill people can't consent. Lindsay Kimble, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026 Documents reviewed by reporters indicated that not every elder who was removed from his or her home and relocated without judicial oversight was competent to consent to the move. Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for consent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consent
Noun
  • In the list of permission credits for The Penguin Book of Oulipo, the number 14 is missing.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Swift’s likeness has been used without permission in numerous AI fakes, including by Meta’s AI chatbots and in pornographic images that have circulated on the internet.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Switzerland voted to enshrine the availability of cash in its constitution, assenting to a push designed to guard against the demise of physical money.
    Bastian Benrath-Wright, Bloomberg, 8 Mar. 2026
  • Moderna resisted, but agreed to provide test subjects with enhanced disclosures on its informed consent form, to which the FDA assented.
    Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The ripples would be felt across the five boroughs, exacerbating our ongoing crisis of child poverty if TPS holders were to lose work authorization and no longer be able to provide for their children.
    Dr. Alister Martin, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026
  • The Mexican leader said that support from Washington should be limited to intelligence sharing, while prohibiting on-the-ground actions with foreign agents without authorization from the federal government.
    CBS News, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Seeking offense, New York plans to designate Tommy Pham for assignment and has agreed to a major league contract with Austin Slater, a pair of people familiar with the move said, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the decisions were not announced.
    Ronald Blum, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Invite someone in, agree on a clear next step, and follow through together so momentum builds without confusion or mixed signals.
    Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 27 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Consent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consent. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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