subscribe

verb

səb-ˈskrīb How to pronounce subscribe (audio)
Definition of subscribenext
1
as in to agree
to give or express one's approval (as to a proposal) promised that as president he would never subscribe to the use of torture as an interrogation method, regardless of the circumstances

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to sign
to write one's name on (as a document) they dutifully subscribed several dozen forms at the mortgage closing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word subscribe distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of subscribe are accede, acquiesce, agree, assent, and consent. While all these words mean "to concur with what has been proposed," subscribe implies not only consent or assent but hearty approval and active support.

subscribes wholeheartedly to the idea

When might accede be a better fit than subscribe?

In some situations, the words accede and subscribe are roughly equivalent. However, accede implies a yielding, often under pressure, of assent or consent.

officials acceded to the prisoners' demands

In what contexts can acquiesce take the place of subscribe?

Although the words acquiesce and subscribe have much in common, acquiesce implies tacit acceptance or forbearance of opposition.

acquiesced to his boss's wishes

Where would agree be a reasonable alternative to subscribe?

The meanings of agree and subscribe largely overlap; however, agree sometimes implies previous difference of opinion or attempts at persuasion.

finally agreed to come along

When is it sensible to use assent instead of subscribe?

While the synonyms assent and subscribe are close in meaning, assent implies an act involving the understanding or judgment and applies to propositions or opinions.

voters assented to the proposal

When would consent be a good substitute for subscribe?

The synonyms consent and subscribe are sometimes interchangeable, but consent involves the will or feelings and indicates compliance with what is requested or desired.

consented to their daughter's going

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of subscribe For more on Taylor Jenkins Reid, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday, or subscribe here. —Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 30 May 2025 Some highlights include the Vikings playing in Dublin, Ireland in Week 4, then London, England in Week 5. Subscribe to continue reading this article. Already subscribed? —Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 15 May 2025 All plans automatically renew, so travelers should carefully review the terms, conditions, and renewal dates before subscribing. —Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 15 May 2025 His mother, Betty Jo, subscribed for the recipes, and good eats were a staple of family gatherings. —Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for subscribe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subscribe
  1. agree
  2. sign
  3. assent
Verb
  • In the polls, men and women agreed about what constituted harassment.
    — Karlyn Bowman, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • Snyder agreed that weather remains a major concern for summer travel, and the usual advice for dealing with that applies.
    — Zach Wichter, USA Today, 29 May 2025
Definition of agree
Verb
  • The Dodgers also quietly signed Kyle Funkhouser to a minor-league deal, stashing another arm with big-league time just in case.
    — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 6 June 2025
  • Jones signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Minnesota Twins.
    — Emma Moon, Charlotte Observer, 5 June 2025
Definition of sign
Verb
  • The lead lawyer for the plaintiffs, Seth P. Waxman, a solicitor general for the Clinton administration, initially refused, but eventually assented after further criticism from Judge Reyes.
    — Chris Cameron, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2025
  • China has built Russia’s defense industrial base, helped Iran provide Russia with one-way attack uncrewed aerial vehicles, and assented as North Korea has sent troops to fight in Europe.
    — Kurt M. Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of assent

Phrases Containing subscribe

Browse Nearby Words

subs
subscribe
subscribed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Subscribe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subscribe. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on subscribe

Nglish: Translation of subscribe for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

8 Words for the Wordy and Talking Too Much

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

10 Hella Good U.S. Regionalisms

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

8 Words for the Wordy and Talking Too Much

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All