How do you use the word "acknowledge" in a sentence?

Here are real-life examples of using "acknowledge": You should acknowledge your failure. I acknowledge your kindness.

Acknowledge Meaning

/əkˈnɒl.ɪd͡ʒ/

Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.

Definition

verbTo admit the knowledge of; to recognize as a fact or truth; to declare one's belief in.

verbTo own or recognize in a particular quality, character or relationship; to admit the claims or authority of; to give recognition to.

Sentence Examples

You should acknowledge your failure.

I acknowledge your kindness.

She refuses to acknowledge the need for reform.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms:

notice receipt admit

Antonyms:

deny

CEFR Practice Quiz

During the meeting, the manager made sure to ____ each employee's contribution to the project.

CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)

He refused to ____ that he had made a mistake in his report.

Word Origin & History

Recorded since 1553, a blend of Middle English aknowen (“to recognize, acknowledge”) and knowlechen (“to discover, reveal, acknowledge”). The former verb is from Old English oncnāwan, ācnāwan (“to know, recognize, acknowledge”), from on + cnāwan (“to know”). The latter is derived from the noun at hand in knowledge. For the formation compare Latin agnōscō and Russian призна́ть (priznátʹ), with cognate roots. The /k/-sound was preserved by being redistributed to the preceding syllable: /əˈkn-/ > /əkˈn-/. The -c- was inserted accordingly to reflect this pronunciation more clearly.

Literary Quotations & Historical Citations

"I acknowledge my transgressions." — 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Psalm 51:3:

"[T]he charge of my moſt curious, and coſtly ingredients fraide, amounting to ſome ſeaventeene thouſand crovvnes, a trifle in reſpect of health, vvriting your noble name in my Catalogue, I ſhall acknovvledge my ſelfe amply ſatisfi'd." — 1631 (first performance), Philip Massinger, The Emperour of the East. A Tragæ-comœdie. […], London: […] Thomas Harper, for Iohn Waterson, published 1632, →OCLC, Act IV, scene iii:

"For ends generally acknowledged to be good." — 1849–1861, Thomas Babington Macaulay, chapter I, in The History of England from the Accession of James the Second, volume (please specify |volume=I to V), London: Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans, →OCLC:

"[N]ow ſuch a liue vngodly, vvithout a care of doing the wil of the Lord (though they profeſſe him in their mouths, yea though they beleeue and acknowledge all the Articles of the Creed, yea haue knowledge of the Scripturs) yet if they liue vngodly, they deny God, and therefore ſhal be denied, […]" — 1604, Jeremy Corderoy, A Short Dialogve, wherein is Proved, that No Man can be Saved without Good VVorkes, 2nd edition, Oxford: Printed by Ioseph Barnes, and are to be sold in Paules Church-yard at the signe of the Crowne, by Simon Waterson, →OCLC, page 40:

"Addison: Pathfinder, you're making a mistake. Ryder: Maybe. But at least I'm willing to acknowledge it." — 2017, BioWare, Mass Effect: Andromeda, Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →OCLC, PC, scene: Nexus:

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