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
Microsoft, Meta, and Apple weighed in during earnings calls, acknowledging the startup’s cheaper, competitive AI models.
—
Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 3 Feb. 2025
Salah rightfully gets the headlines for his insatiable attacking output, but Saturday afternoon at the Vitality Stadium was a reminder that such incredible performances cannot be lauded without acknowledging the solid defensive foundation that has been built behind him.
—Mark Carey, The Athletic, 3 Feb. 2025
In accepting the award, Bey shouted out the members of the Los Angeles Fire Department who presented it to her, thanking them for keeping Angelenos safe during the recent deadly wildfires that were acknowledged frequently during Sunday’s fundraising broadcast.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 3 Feb. 2025
And, as O’Hanlon acknowledges, the prospect of a foreign posting helps entice recruits to sign up in the first place.
—Dexter Filkins, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for acknowledge 
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Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 3 Feb. 2025
Salah rightfully gets the headlines for his insatiable attacking output, but Saturday afternoon at the Vitality Stadium was a reminder that such incredible performances cannot be lauded without acknowledging the solid defensive foundation that has been built behind him.
—Mark Carey, The Athletic, 3 Feb. 2025
In accepting the award, Bey shouted out the members of the Los Angeles Fire Department who presented it to her, thanking them for keeping Angelenos safe during the recent deadly wildfires that were acknowledged frequently during Sunday’s fundraising broadcast.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 3 Feb. 2025
And, as O’Hanlon acknowledges, the prospect of a foreign posting helps entice recruits to sign up in the first place.
—Dexter Filkins, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for acknowledge
Dictionary Entries Near acknowledge
Cite this Entry
“Acknowledge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acknowledge. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.
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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