acquiesce

Summary

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Episode Overview

Podcast: Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day
Date: June 18, 2026
Word of the Day: acquiesce

This episode explores the meaning, usage, and etymology of the verb “acquiesce.” Listeners learn how “acquiesce” is used in both contemporary and historical contexts, as well as its origins in Latin and French. The host, Peter Sokolowski, enriches the lesson with literary examples and tips on how the word can lend a gentle, formal tone to speech.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Definition and Usage

• Word: acquiesce
  • Spelling: A C Q U I E S C E
  • Part of Speech: Verb
  • Meaning: To accept, agree with, or allow something to happen by staying silent or not arguing; to comply quietly.
  • Tone/Style: Somewhat formal; often used with "in" or "to" (e.g., "acquiesce in a decision").

Example in Contemporary Context

• Slate Sentence Example [00:44–01:19]:

  "It may be just the right time for a chicken burger to become a significant stop on the American burger's continual evolution. But whether beef clinging purists will acquiesce to a poultry spin or cry foul remains to be seen."

  • Here, “acquiesce” illustrates silent or reluctant agreement to change—specifically, traditionalists accepting a non-beef burger.

Guidance on Style

• Host Guidance [01:19–01:30]:

  "If you're looking to give your speech a gentle, formal flair, don't give the word acquiesce the silent treatment."

  • Sokolowski encourages listeners to use "acquiesce" when aiming for a refined tone, drawing a clever parallel to the word’s meaning.

Etymology and Historical Usage

• Origins [01:30–01:50]:
  • Latin Root: “quiescere” (to be quiet, to repose, to fall asleep, to rest)
  • English Derivation: Arrived via French in the early 1600s with two senses—"to agree or comply" (the modern sense) and the now-obsolete "to rest satisfied."
  • Related Word: “quiet” shares the same root.

Literary Example

• Herman Melville's ‘Moby Dick’ [01:50–02:21]:

  "Meanwhile, whatever were his own secret thoughts, Starbuck said nothing but quietly he issued all requisite orders, while Stubb and Flask, who in some small degree seemed then to be sharing his feelings, likewise unmurmuringly acquiesced."

  • The host uses this excerpt to show how "acquiesce" conveys quiet, non-verbal agreement or submission, fit for both poetic and precise expression.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Formal Flair [01:19]:

  "If you're looking to give your speech a gentle, formal flair, don't give the word acquiesce the silent treatment."
  — Peter Sokolowski

• On the Word’s Roots [01:30]:

  "Essentially meaning to comply quietly, acquiesce has as its ultimate source the Latin verb quiescere, meaning to be quiet. Quiet itself is also a close relation."
  — Peter Sokolowski

• Melville Example [01:50]:

  "...Stubb and Flask, who in some small degree seemed then to be sharing his feelings, likewise unmurmuringly acquiesced.”
  — Herman Melville, quoted by Peter Sokolowski

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Timeline of Important Segments

• 00:44 — Introduction of the word “acquiesce,” with definition and initial example
• 01:19 — Advice on employing “acquiesce” for formal effect
• 01:30 — Etymology and relation to “quiet”
• 01:50 — Historical/literary usage in Melville’s ‘Moby Dick’

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Closing

This episode gives listeners a thorough understanding of “acquiesce,” from its precise meaning and formal nuance to its literary history. The word is presented as an elegant tool for describing silent or non-confrontational agreement, deeply rooted in language history.

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Transcript

[A]

Foreign.

[B]

It's the Word of the Day podcast for June 18th

[C]

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[B]

today's word is acquiesce. Spelled A C, Q U, I E S C E. Acquiesce is a verb. To acquiesce to something is to accept it, agree with it, or or allow it to happen by staying silent or by not arguing. Acquiesce is somewhat formal and is often used with the words in or to. Here's the word used in a sentence from Slate it may be just the right time for a chicken burger to become a significant stop on the American burger's continual evolution. But whether beef clinging purists will acquiesce to a poultry spin or cry foul remains to be seen. If you're looking to give your speech a gentle, formal flair, don't give the word acquiesce. The silent treatment, essentially meaning to comply quietly, acquiesce has as its ultimate source the Latin verb quiescequere, meaning to be quiet. Quiet itself is also a close relation. Quiescequere can also mean to repose, to fall asleep, or to rest. And when acquiesce arrived in English via French in the early 1600s, it did so with tooth senses the familiar to agree or comply, and the now obsolete to rest satisfied. Herman Melville employed the former in Moby Dick. When Ahab orders the confounded crew to change the Pequod's course after a storm damages the compasses with these words. Meanwhile, whatever were his own secret thoughts, Starbuck said nothing but quietly he issued all requisite orders, while Stubb and Flask, who in some small degree seemed then to be sharing his feelings, likewise unmurmuringly acquiesced with your word of the day. I'm Peter Sokolowski.

[A]

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