acknowledge
verb
ac·knowl·edge
ik-ˈnä-lij 
ak-
acknowledged; acknowledging
1
: to recognize the rights, authority, or status of
They acknowledged him as their leader.
2
: to disclose knowledge of or agreement with
She readily acknowledged her mistake.
3
a
: to express gratitude or obligation for
acknowledge a gift
b
: to take notice of
failed to acknowledge my greeting
c
: to make known the receipt of
acknowledge a letter
4
: to recognize as genuine or valid
acknowledge a debt
Synonyms
Examples of acknowledge in a Sentence
They acknowledged that the decision was a mistake.
Do you acknowledge that you caused this mess?
They readily acknowledged their mistake.
She won't acknowledge responsibility for her actions.
He quickly acknowledges all of my e-mails when he receives them.
Please acknowledge receipt of this letter.
She acknowledged the gift with a card.
She acknowledged his greeting with a smile.
Recent Examples on the Web
In these films, race is acknowledged respectfully without being exploited as the central narrative element.
—
Clayton Davis, Variety, 11 Apr. 2024
But to his credit, Biden acknowledged one of the main drivers of inflation: housing costs.
—Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN, 11 Apr. 2024
McIlroy was happy to hear that, but acknowledged there’s a difference between words and deeds.
—Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024
For now, prospects for restoring or revising the pact remain gloomy, as even ardent supporters of the JCPOA acknowledge.
—Joby Warrick, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2024
And pediatricians are now acknowledging the overuse of antibiotics in the treatment of many childhood infections.
—Dr. Sharon Malone, TIME, 9 Apr. 2024
Except the Illinois government. State law allows the treasurer to divert unclaimed property to the State Pensions Fund, creating a perverse financial incentive that federal courts have acknowledged in cases out of Indiana and New Jersey.
—Daryl James, Orange County Register, 30 Mar. 2024
Cherie acknowledges that mukbang videos, or livestream eating content, highlighting foods like Korean corn dogs, have definitely influenced her.
—Sarah Mosqueda, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2024
The birds also used less pressure than humans, so the game didn’t always acknowledge their taps.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Mar. 2024
Clayton Davis, Variety, 11 Apr. 2024
But to his credit, Biden acknowledged one of the main drivers of inflation: housing costs.
—Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN, 11 Apr. 2024
McIlroy was happy to hear that, but acknowledged there’s a difference between words and deeds.
—Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024
For now, prospects for restoring or revising the pact remain gloomy, as even ardent supporters of the JCPOA acknowledge.
—Joby Warrick, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2024
And pediatricians are now acknowledging the overuse of antibiotics in the treatment of many childhood infections.
—Dr. Sharon Malone, TIME, 9 Apr. 2024
Except the Illinois government. State law allows the treasurer to divert unclaimed property to the State Pensions Fund, creating a perverse financial incentive that federal courts have acknowledged in cases out of Indiana and New Jersey.
—Daryl James, Orange County Register, 30 Mar. 2024
Cherie acknowledges that mukbang videos, or livestream eating content, highlighting foods like Korean corn dogs, have definitely influenced her.
—Sarah Mosqueda, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2024
The birds also used less pressure than humans, so the game didn’t always acknowledge their taps.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'acknowledge.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near acknowledge
Cite this Entry
“Acknowledge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acknowledge. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
acknowledge
verb
ac·knowl·edge
ik-ˈnäl-ij
ak-
acknowledged; acknowledging
1
: to recognize the rights or authority of
2
: to admit the truth or existence of
3
: to make known that something has been received or noticed
acknowledge a letter
Legal Definition
acknowledge
transitive verb
ac·knowl·edge
acknowledged; acknowledging
1
: to indicate recognition and acceptance of
the power of taxation in the general and state governments is acknowledged to be concurrent—McCulloch v. Maryland, 17 U.S. 316 (1819)
McCulloch v. Maryland, 17 U.S. 316 (1819)2
a
: to show by word or act that one has knowledge of and accepts responsibility for (a duty, obligation, or indebtedness)
b
: to admit paternity of
will acknowledge the child as his
compare filiate
3
: to make known to a sender or giver the receipt of (what has been sent or given) or the fact of (one's having received what has been sent or given)
acknowledge receipt of a letter
4
: to recognize as genuine so as to give validity : avow or admit in legal form
the execution of any such power of attorney shall be acknowledged before one of the officers—U.S. Code
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