not acknowledge

Meanings

1. 1phrasetransitive

   to refuse to admit or accept that something is true or exists

   Grammar: Takes an object: not acknowledge a mistake. Often used in formal or legal writing.

   Patterns

   • not acknowledge something
   • not acknowledge that + clause
   • not acknowledge doing something

   The company did not acknowledge the error until the newspaper contacted them.

   She did not acknowledge that she had received the email.

   He did not acknowledge breaking the rules.

2. 2phrasetransitive

   to show no awareness of someone or something, especially by ignoring them

   Grammar: Takes an object: not acknowledge someone. Often used when someone is deliberately ignored.

   Patterns

   • not acknowledge someone
   • not acknowledge someone's presence

   He walked past me and did not acknowledge my presence.

   The manager did not acknowledge her when she entered the room.

3. 3phrasetransitive

   to fail to recognize or show appreciation for something

   Grammar: Takes an object: not acknowledge someone's help. Often used in formal or written contexts.

   Patterns

   • not acknowledge something
   • not acknowledge someone's contribution

   The report did not acknowledge the work of the volunteers.

   They did not acknowledge his contribution to the project.

Common combinations

not acknowledge a mistake

The politician did not acknowledge his mistake.

not acknowledge the fact that

She did not acknowledge the fact that she was late.

not acknowledge someone's presence

He did not acknowledge my presence at the meeting.

not acknowledge receipt of

We have not acknowledged receipt of your letter.

Synonyms and how they differ

deny

Stronger and more direct; deny means to state that something is not true, while not acknowledge can also mean simply ignoring or not showing awareness.

ignore

Focuses on paying no attention; not acknowledge can include refusing to admit something is true, not just ignoring it.

disregard

Suggests treating something as unimportant; not acknowledge is more about refusing to accept or recognize.

Opposites

Word family

acknowledge verb

The positive form; to admit or accept that something is true.

acknowledgment noun

The act of admitting or recognizing something.

Commonly confused: not acknowledge or not know?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “not acknowledge”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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