Acceptance — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ik-ˈsep-tən(t)s/ ac·cep·tance

Meaning & Definition of Acceptance

Acceptance (noun)

  1. the quality or state of being accepted or acceptable
  2. the act of accepting something or someone, the fact of being accepted, approval
  3. an agreeing either expressly or by conduct to the act or offer of another so that a contract is concluded and the parties become legally bound

Acceptance (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a readiness or willingness to accept or adapt to a given circumstance

    "She eventually reached an acceptance of her mother's sometimes challenging eccentricities."

    similar: acquiescence, biddability, compliance, compliancy, deference, docility, obedience, submissiveness, amenability, amiability, complaisance, good-naturedness, obsequiousness, servility, slavishness, subservience, subserviency, conformity, cooperativeness, receptiveness, receptivity, humoring, indulgence, capitulation, submission, surrender, affability, amicability, congeniality, cordiality, friendliness, geniality, sociability, compromise, appeasement, conciliation, reconcilement, reconciliation, capture, fall, capitulating, cession, handover, relinquishment, rendition, submitting
    opposite: resistance, defiance, disobedience, intractability, recalcitrance, animosity, antipathy, enmity, hostility, ill will

  2. permission given to do something

    "They had a fancy dinner to celebrate his acceptance to Columbia University."

    similar: acquiescence, agreement, assent, OK, approbation, approval, affirmation, confirmation, ratification, imprimatur, seal, signature, stamp, accreditation, certification, liberty, pass, concession, patent, permit, tolerance, toleration, accord, grant, allowance, authorization, clearance, concurrence, consent, granting, green light, leave, license, permission, sanction, sufferance, warrant
    opposite: denial, refusal, rejection, revocation, injunction, veto, deterrence, discouragement, repression, suppression, ban, embargo, exclusion, interdiction, prohibition, proscription

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Acceptance

The most common words with a similar meaning to Acceptance:

acquiescence, biddability, compliance, compliancy, deference, docility, obedience, submissiveness, amenability, amiability, complaisance, good-naturedness, obsequiousness, servility, slavishness, subservience, subserviency, conformity, cooperativeness, receptiveness, receptivity, humoring, indulgence, capitulation, submission, surrender, affability, amicability, congeniality, cordiality, friendliness, geniality, sociability, compromise, appeasement, conciliation, reconcilement, reconciliation, capture, fall

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Acceptance

Words with the opposite meaning of Acceptance:

resistance, defiance, disobedience, intractability, recalcitrance, animosity, antipathy, enmity, hostility, ill will, denial, refusal, rejection, revocation, injunction, veto, deterrence, discouragement, repression, suppression, ban, embargo, exclusion, interdiction, prohibition, proscription

Origin & Etymology of Acceptance

borrowed from Anglo-French, "agreement to abide by the act on another," from accepter "to accept" + -ance -ance

First known use: circa 1530

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Acceptance

Words & Phrases Containing Acceptance

acceptance speech, banker's acceptance, self-acceptance, trade acceptance, find acceptance

Frequently Asked Questions about Acceptance

What does "Acceptance" mean?

"Acceptance" means the quality or state of being accepted or acceptable. As a noun, it is defined as: the quality or state of being accepted or acceptable. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Acceptance"?

Other words for "Acceptance" include acquiescence, biddability, compliance, compliancy, deference, docility, obedience and submissiveness. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Acceptance" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Acceptance"?

There are 82 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Acceptance". Common alternatives include acquiescence, biddability, compliance, compliancy, deference, docility, obedience, submissiveness, amenability and amiability.

What is the opposite of "Acceptance"?

Antonyms of "Acceptance" include resistance, defiance, disobedience, intractability, recalcitrance, animosity, antipathy and enmity.

How do you use "Acceptance" in a sentence?

Examples of "Acceptance" in a sentence: "She eventually reached an acceptance of her mother's sometimes challenging eccentricities."; "They had a fancy dinner to celebrate his acceptance to Columbia University.".

Is "Acceptance" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Acceptance" is a noun.

Is "Acceptance" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Acceptance" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Acceptance"?

"Acceptance" is pronounced /ik-ˈsep-tən(t)s/ and divided into syllables as ac·cep·tance.