Etymology

Verb

1. To rest satisfied, or apparently satisfied, or to rest without opposition and discontent (usually implying previous opposition or discontent); to accept or consent by silence or by omitting to object; — followed by in, formerly also by with and to.

   They were compelled to acquiesce in a government which they did not regard as just. - Thomas De Quincey.

2. To concur upon conviction; as, to acquiesce in an opinion; to assent to; usually, to concur, not heartily but so far as to forbear opposition.

   I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over them. - Arthur Conan Doyle, The Adventure of the Speckled Band

Quotations

• 1794 — Charlotte Smith, The Banished Man, vol II, ch 16

  I entirely acquiesce in all the observations you make in your letter; they are worthy of your heart and understanding;

• 1799 — Thomas Jefferson, The Kentucky Resolution of 1799

  The representatives of the good people of this commonwealth in general assembly convened, having maturely considered the answers of sundry states in the Union, to their resolutions passed at the last session, respecting certain unconstitutional laws of Congress, commonly called the alien and sedition laws, would be faithless indeed to themselves, and to those they represent, were they silently to acquiesce in principles and doctrines attempted to be maintained in all those answers, that of Virginia only excepted.

• 1815 — Jane Austen, Emma, vol III, ch 19

  She could not bear to see him suffering, to know him fancying himself neglected; and though her understanding almost acquiesced in the assurance of both the Mr. Knightleys, that when once the event were over, his distress would be soon over too, she hesitated--she could not proceed.

• 1847 — Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights, ch XXV

  Cathy was a powerful ally at home; and between them they at length persuaded my master to acquiesce in their having a ride or a walk together about once a week, under my guardianship, and on the moors nearest the Grange: for June found him still declining.

• 1861 — Abraham Lincoln, First Inaugural Address (4 March)

  If a minority, in such case, will secede rather than acquiesce, they make a precedent which, in turn, will divide and ruin them; for a minority of their own will secede from them whenever a majority refuses to be controlled by such minority.

• 1899 — Kate Chopin, The Awakening, ch XXVII

  “Well, that ought to be reason enough,” he acquiesced.

• 1924 — Herman Melville, Billy Budd, ch 19

  The spare form flexibly acquiesced, but inertly. It was like handling a dead snake.

Synonyms

Verb