verb
Uncommon
assent
uh-SEHNT
Assent (verb) means to agree to something, especially a proposal or suggestion. Example: “The board assented to the merger after months of talks.”
verb
1
To agree to something, especially a proposal or suggestion.
"The board assented to the merger after months of talks."
noun
1
Formal agreement or approval.
"The king gave his royal assent to the new law."
"She nodded in assent."
How to use assent
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAgreeing to, or approving, something.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "ascent" (climbing upward) — they sound identical but mean completely different things.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
royal assent
give assent
assent to a proposal
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Word forms
- Plural
- assents
- Third person singular
- assents
- Past tense
- assented
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The board _____ to the merger after months of talks.
Etymology
From Old French assentir, from Latin assentiri, from ad- ("to") plus sentire ("to feel, think").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “assent” mean?
The word “assent” means to agree to something, especially a proposal or suggestion. In plain terms, agreeing to, or approving, something.
How do you pronounce “assent”?
“Assent” is pronounced uh-SEHNT (/əˈsɛnt/ in IPA).
How do you use “assent” in a sentence?
Here is “assent” used in a sentence: “The board assented to the merger after months of talks.”
What is another word for “assent”?
Words with a similar meaning to “assent” include approval, consent and sanction.
What is the opposite of “assent”?
The opposite of “assent” — its antonyms — are decline, deny, disapprove, disassent and dissent.
What part of speech is “assent”?
Depending on how it is used, “assent” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “assent” come from?
The word “assent” comes from Latin. From Old French assentir, from Latin assentiri, from ad- ("to") plus sentire ("to feel, think").
Is “assent” a common word?
“Assent” is an uncommon word in modern English.
