acquiesce
What does "acquiesce" mean?
To acquiesce is to accept something reluctantly but without protest. Imagine a situation where you are initially against an idea or a demand, but you eventually decide that fighting it is not worth the effort, so you quietly step aside and agree to let it happen. This word is almost exclusively used in formal or literary contexts. It implies a sense of passive surrender or compliance rather than enthusiastic agreement. You will often see it used in legal, political, or professional settings, typically followed by the preposition "to."
"acquiesce" in conversation
Work meeting
I know you dislike the new policy, but it is mandatory.
I know you dislike the new policy, but it is mandatory.
I suppose I must acquiesce to the company's decision.
I suppose I must acquiesce to the company's decision.
Used here to express professional compliance despite personal disagreement.
Negotiating terms
Are they still demanding a higher price?
Are they still demanding a higher price?
Yes, and eventually I had to acquiesce just to close the deal.
Yes, and eventually I had to acquiesce just to close the deal.
Shows the sense of giving in to pressure to achieve an end goal.
"acquiesce" in a sentence
He acquiesced to her request.
He acquiesced to her request.
The government finally acquiesced to the demands of the protesters.
The government finally acquiesced to the demands of the protesters.
Rather than causing a scene, she silently acquiesced to the unfair terms of the contract.
Rather than causing a scene, she silently acquiesced to the unfair terms of the contract.
