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Consent

n. kind, thoughtful professional

What it means

Freely given permission based on sufficient understanding and genuine choice.

Reach for it when naming affirmative authorization that can be withheld or withdrawn

The researcher confirmed each participant's consent before recording began.

Words to choose between 6

By register, from playful at the top to literary at the bottom. Tap a word to see when it fits.
playful
everyday
professional
formal

  • playful

    go-ahead

    Fits when informal permission to proceed suits low-stakes conversation

    Careful The idiom is inadequate for medical, legal, sexual, or research consent.

  • everyday

    approval

    Fits when a person expresses a favorable decision

    Careful Approval can praise an idea without permitting an action involving them.

  • everyday

    permission

    Fits when one person allows a specific action

    Careful Permission can flow from authority and may not reflect an equal or informed choice.

  • professional

    agreement

    Fits when parties accept a proposal or arrangement

    Careful Agreement can be reluctant, negotiated, or inferred; consent must be freely given.

  • professional

    authorization

    Fits when formal power is granted for an action

    Careful Authorization can come from an institution rather than the person affected.

  • formal

    assent

    Fits when expressed approval is the precise legal or ethical term

    Careful Assent may be used when someone cannot provide full legal consent.

Opposites 3

  • refusal
  • coercion
  • nonconsent

Common phrases 5

  • informed consent

    Informed consent required a plain explanation of risks and alternatives.

  • give consent

    A participant may give consent only after every question is answered.

  • withdraw consent

    Anyone may withdraw consent without losing access to ordinary services.

  • consent to

    Consent to one interview does not cover later publication.

  • without consent

    Recording someone without consent can violate trust and policy.

Usage notes

Keep in mind

Legal requirements vary by context and jurisdiction. Consent should be affirmative, informed, specific, freely given, and treated as revocable where applicable.

Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Dvortygirl, California accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated