accede

Synonym Chooser

How is the word accede distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of accede are acquiesce, agree, assent, consent, and subscribe. While all these words mean "to concur with what has been proposed," accede implies a yielding, often under pressure, of assent or consent.

officials acceded to the prisoners' demands

When can acquiesce be used instead of accede?

While in some cases nearly identical to accede, acquiesce implies tacit acceptance or forbearance of opposition.

acquiesced to his boss's wishes

In what contexts can agree take the place of accede?

The words agree and accede are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, agree sometimes implies previous difference of opinion or attempts at persuasion.

finally agreed to come along

When could assent be used to replace accede?

Although the words assent and accede have much in common, assent implies an act involving the understanding or judgment and applies to propositions or opinions.

voters assented to the proposal

Where would consent be a reasonable alternative to accede?

The words consent and accede can be used in similar contexts, but consent involves the will or feelings and indicates compliance with what is requested or desired.

consented to their daughter's going

When is subscribe a more appropriate choice than accede?

While the synonyms subscribe and accede are close in meaning, 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 accede Syria’s main Druse militias, who control a strategic swath of southern Syria near Israel, have resisted a push by the new Islamist government to be folded into the national military, fearing that acceding would endanger their people. Nanna Heitmann, New York Times, 3 May 2025 Indian officials reject this argument and view it as an integral part of their state, especially since the original leader of pre-partition Jammu and Kashmir (a Hindu) acceded to India. Lisa Curtis, Foreign Affairs, 13 May 2025 India claimed Kashmir as its then Hindu ruler acceded to Delhi, while Pakistan cited popular support from the region's Muslim majority as a basis for its claim. Asif Shahzad, USA Today, 7 May 2025 Though the region had a Muslim majority, the Hindu ruler chose to accede to India, triggering the first India-Pakistan war. Fazlul Haq, The Conversation, 25 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for accede
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accede
Verb
  • The Supreme Court agreed, in the case known as Humphrey’s Executor v. United States, finding that Congress had the authority to protect commissioners against Presidential dismissal.
    Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 29 May 2025
  • Snyder agreed that weather remains a major concern for summer travel, and the usual advice for dealing with that applies.
    Zach Wichter, USA Today, 29 May 2025
Verb
  • The lead lawyer for the plaintiffs, Seth P. Waxman, a solicitor general for the Clinton administration, initially refused, but eventually assented after further criticism from Judge Reyes.
    Chris Cameron, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2025
  • China has built Russia’s defense industrial base, helped Iran provide Russia with one-way attack uncrewed aerial vehicles, and assented as North Korea has sent troops to fight in Europe.
    Kurt M. Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The driver then acquiesced, and the officers searched him and the car.
    Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 2025
  • Trump’s initiatives, acquiesced in by supportive congressional Republicans, would limit its ability to help them, though federal courts have questioned or halted many of his unilateral actions.
    Carl Leubsdorf, Mercury News, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
    Matt Levine, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
  • Park consented to speak with the FBI at JFK and was interviewed by them there.
    Andres Triay, CBS News, 4 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Accede.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accede. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.

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