accepted

adjective

ac·​cept·​ed ik-ˈsep-təd How to pronounce accepted (audio)
ak-
Synonyms of acceptednext
: regarded favorably : given approval or acceptance
a fully accepted member of the group
especially : generally approved or used
an accepted convention/practice
a widely accepted theory
acceptedly adverb

Examples of accepted in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
But imagine a system where spending cuts and restraint were the accepted default, not the contentious choice—where automatic reductions replaced relentless expansion, eliminating the need for last-minute battles. — Clyde Wayne Crews Jr., Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025 Photographed by Ace Amir When Melancon started masking some 30 years ago, the accepted story of the Mardi Gras Indians started with the slave revolt. — Harriet Shepherd, Vogue, 5 Mar. 2025 My years have granted me both perspective and the freedom to question more vigorously, push harder against accepted narratives, and challenge the complacency that too often surrounds discussions of racial progress. — Lewis M. Rambo, Twin Cities, 2 Mar. 2025 Twenty-five state attorneys general endorsed a request for the U.S. Senate to pass a bill that would permanently categorize fentanyl analogues as drugs with no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. — Ray Lewis, Baltimore Sun, 14 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for accepted

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from past participle of accepten "to accept"

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of accepted was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing accepted

Rhymes for accepted

See All Rhymes for accepted

Browse Nearby Words

accepted
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Accepted.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accepted. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on accepted

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for accepted

Nglish: Translation of accepted for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Words You Always Have to Look Up
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

13 Unusually Long English Words

9 Superb Owl Words

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular Features

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

13 Unusually Long English Words

9 Superb Owl Words
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
number-twelve-balloon
12-Letter Words Quiz A dozen words, a dozen letters each.
See All