Make Your Point > Archived Issues > ASSENT
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Assent traces to the Latin verb sentire, which can mean "to think, to feel, to hear, to perceive, or to have an opinion."
"Assent" has Latin bits that mean, approximately, "to think or feel (the same way) with (someone else)."
Part of speech:
Pick the common, formal word "assent" to strike a serious tone as you talk about people agreeing to things, often slowly, passively, or half-heartedly.
"[With gene-editing], scientists hope to alter plants, animals and humans. The value of most applications of the technology has barely been exposed to public review. Unless these editorial aspirations are more inclusively debated, well-intentioned research could move humanity closer to a future it has not assented to and might not want."
Explain the meaning of "assent" without saying "allow" or "accept."
In an episode of Futurama, people wildly violate courtroom protocol, and the judge assents to it. "You're representing both sides in this case?... I'm going to allow this."
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Try to spend 20 seconds or more on the game below. Don’t skip straight to the review—first, let your working memory empty out.
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The exact opposite of ASSENT is
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