Accede is a formal verb meaning to agree to a request or demand, or to take up a position of power. To use accede in a sentence, always add the preposition to: The board acceded to the request. The verb is intransitive, so it never takes a direct object on its own.
Accede at a glance
- Accede is an intransitive verb; its forms are accedes, acceded and acceding.
- The fixed pattern is accede to plus a noun or noun phrase.
- Two senses cover agreement and the taking of high office.
- Accede belongs to formal, legal and diplomatic writing.
- The commonest error is dropping the preposition, as in accede a request.
What does accede mean?
Accede is a formal verb meaning to agree to a request, demand or treaty, or to assume a throne or high office. The Cambridge entry for accede records both senses, and the difference is easy to keep apart: the first is a yes to another party, the second is a step up to power. To acquiesce is to accept a demand quietly, without the outward agreement that accede suggests.
| Sense | Plain meaning | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Agree to a request | Formally say yes to a demand or treaty | The council acceded to the residents’ request. |
| Assume high office | Take up a throne or a top post | The queen acceded to the throne in 1952. |
Accede is the wrong choice when no request or office is involved. It does not mean to accept a gift, to approve quietly, or to succeed at a task, and in ordinary conversation a plainer verb serves better.
How do you use accede in a sentence?
Accede follows one firm frame, and every natural sentence respects it. The subject agrees, and the thing agreed to follows the preposition to.
| Pattern | Example | What it signals |
|---|---|---|
| accede to + demand | The minister acceded to the demand. | A formal, often reluctant yes. |
| accede to + request | The firm acceded to our request. | Consent given after deliberation. |
| accede to + throne | He acceded to the throne at twenty. | Taking up a position of power. |
| accede to + treaty | Both sides acceded to the treaty. | Formal entry into an agreement. |
| adverb + accede | She reluctantly acceded to the plan. | The manner of the agreement. |

Accede in a sentence: examples across contexts
Accede lives in documents and formal speech. The settings below show how it carries a sense of reluctant or official agreement.
| Context | Example sentence | Why this works |
|---|---|---|
| News report | The union acceded to the revised offer. | Compact report of a formal yes. |
| Legal writing | The tenant acceded to the new terms. | Records consent in a contract dispute. |
| Diplomacy | Three states acceded to the treaty this year. | The standard verb for joining an agreement. |
| History | The king acceded to the throne in 1901. | The fixed phrase for taking power. |
| Workplace email | We have acceded to the supplier’s request. | Formal and slightly stiff, which suits a record. |
| Conversation | She finally acceded to their plan. | Acceptable but noticeably formal. |
| Academic writing | The committee acceded to the recommendation. | Neutral statement of a formal decision. |
| Official statement | The government would not accede to the demands. | Signals a refusal framed by the same verb. |
| Sports report | The league acceded to the club’s appeal. | Reports a governing body’s consent. |
Accede vs accept
Accede and accept both describe saying yes, but they differ in grammar, tone and what is being received. One is a formal yielding; the other is ordinary receiving.
| Attribute | Accede | Accept |
|---|---|---|
| Core meaning | Formally agree to a demand or take office | Receive or agree to something |
| Grammar | Intransitive: accede to X | Transitive: accept X |
| Formality | Formal and official | Neutral, suitable anywhere |
| What it implies | Reluctant or considered consent | Plain receiving or agreement |
| Typical object | A demand, request, treaty or throne | A gift, offer, apology or job |
The verdict: use accede for a formal, often reluctant yes to a demand, and accept for receiving something ordinary. The everyday verb is accept, which needs no preposition. To concede is to admit a point, which often comes just before a party accedes.
Word forms and grammar of accede
| Form | Part of speech | Example |
|---|---|---|
| accede | Base verb | They accede to the ruling at once. |
| accedes | Third-person singular | The board accedes to most requests. |
| acceded | Past tense and participle | The duke acceded to the title in 1890. |
| acceding | Present participle | Acceding to the demand, the firm stood down. |
| accession | Noun | Her accession to the throne was announced at dawn. |
| accede a request | Non-standard | Always write accede to a request. |
Common mistakes with accede
- Incorrect:
The manager acceded the request.Correct: The manager acceded to the request. Rule: accede is intransitive and needs the preposition to. - Incorrect:
She acceded with the terms.Correct: She acceded to the terms. Rule: the fixed preposition is to, never with. - Incorrect:
The cost acceded the budget.Correct: The cost exceeded the budget. Rule: exceed means go beyond; do not confuse it with accede. - Incorrect:
He acceded on the throne.Correct: He acceded to the throne. Rule: positions of power also follow accede to.
Practice using accede
- Fill in the blank: The council ___ to the residents’ demand.
- Choose the better word: She (acceded to / acceded) the invitation to join the board. Write the correct phrase.
- Correct the error: The prince acceded on the throne in June.
- Build a sentence about a union agreeing to a pay offer using accede to.
- Spot the register: which belongs in a legal record, The tenant acceded to the terms or The tenant said yes?
- Fill in the blank: Both sides finally ___ to the treaty.
Answers
- acceded; the past tense agrees with the singular subject.
- acceded to; the construction is accede to plus a noun, with no direct object.
- The prince acceded to the throne in June; the fixed phrase uses to.
- The union acceded to the revised pay offer; accede to a demand.
- The tenant acceded to the terms suits a legal record; the plain sentence is conversational.
- acceded; both parties entering a treaty use accede to.

The bottom line
Accede means to agree formally to a request or to take up a position of power, and it always takes the preposition to. Where permission is the focus, consent is the plainer choice. Remember its two limits: accede is intransitive, and it never means to receive an ordinary object. To yield is to give way under pressure, the closest everyday synonym.
Frequently asked questions about accede
What does accede to the throne mean?
To accede to the throne means to become monarch after the previous ruler dies, abdicates or steps aside. The phrase names the moment power passes, not the coronation ceremony, which may follow months later. The same construction applies to other high offices, such as acceding to the presidency.
Is accede the same as accept?
Both words describe a yes, but accede is intransitive and formal, taking the preposition to, while accept is transitive and neutral, taking a direct object. You accede to a demand or a treaty, but you accept a gift, an offer or an apology.
What is the noun form of accede?
The noun is accession, which means the act of taking up a position or formally joining an agreement. The accession of the new monarch was announced at dawn is correct. Do not use accedence or accedation; those forms do not exist in standard English.
Can accede be used in the passive voice?
The passive is rare because accede is intransitive and has no direct object to promote. A sentence such as the treaty was acceded to is possible in formal writing but clumsy. Active sentences read better: three states acceded to the treaty this year.
Have you ever come across the word “accede” and wondered what it means? In simple terms, to accede is to agree to a request or to yield to someone’s wishes.
This verb implies giving in or granting approval to something, often in a formal or official manner. It involves assenting to a proposal, accepting a position, or complying with a demand.
7 Examples Of Accede Used In a Sentence For Kids
- Please accede to share your toys with your friends.
- Can you accede to help tidy up the classroom?
- Let’s all accede to take turns while playing games.
- It is important to accede to listen to your teachers in the school.
- Remember to accede to say “please” and “thank you” to others.
- I will accede to be kind and helpful to my classmates.
- We should accede to follow the rules to keep everyone safe.
14 Sentences with Accede Examples
- Accede to your professor’s request for additional readings for the upcoming exam.
- Make sure to accede to the guidelines set by the college administration regarding dress code.
- It is important to accede to deadlines for project submissions in order to avoid penalization.
- Always accede to the rules of the library to maintain a peaceful studying environment.
- Accede to your classmates’ request to form a study group for mutual support.
- It is advisable to accede to the college’s anti-plagiarism policy to maintain academic integrity.
- Students should accede to the recommended study schedule to perform well in their exams.
- Make sure to accede to the college’s vaccination policies for the safety of the campus community.
- Accede to the feedback provided by your professors to improve your academic performance.
- It is essential to accede to the rules and regulations of the college hostel for a smooth living experience.
- Always accede to the timetables provided by the college to avoid missing important classes or exams.
- Students should accede to the online etiquette guidelines for virtual classes to ensure a respectful learning atmosphere.
- Make sure to accede to the code of conduct during college events to represent the institution positively.
- Students should accede to the counseling services offered by the college for mental health support and guidance.
How To Use Accede in Sentences?
To use the word Accede in a sentence, follow these simple steps:
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Understand the Definition: Before using the word Accede, make sure you understand its meaning. Accede means to agree to a demand, request, or treaty.
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Choose the Right Context: Consider the situation where you want to use the word Accede. It is often used in formal or official discussions.
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Construct a Sentence: Start by introducing the subject that is agreeing to something. You can use phrases like “The committee” or “The government”.
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Insert Accede: Place the word Accede where the agreement is taking place. For example, “The government decided to accede to the demands of the protesters.”
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Add Other Elements: Complete the sentence by adding more details to provide context or explain the implications of the agreement.
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Review and Edit: Before finalizing the sentence, read it out loud to ensure it makes sense and conveys the intended meaning clearly.
Remember that Accede is a formal word used in specific contexts, so be mindful of when and where you use it in your writing or conversations. Practice using it in different sentences to become more comfortable with incorporating it into your vocabulary.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the word “accede” is commonly used in English sentences to express the act of giving consent, agreeing to a request, or yielding to a position or demand. It implies a willingness to comply or accept a certain proposition, often signaling agreement or approval. For example, “After much deliberation, they finally acceded to the terms of the contract” demonstrates a situation where a decision or agreement was reached.
Understanding sentences with “accede” can aid in grasping the nuances of communication and comprehending instances where permission is granted, demands are met, or agreements are made. By recognizing the context in which this word is utilized, one can gain insight into the dynamics of negotiations, compromises, and consensus-building in both formal and informal settings.
