PsychologyAugust 27, 2026
acquiescent
ak-wee-ES-uhnt
Definition
Ready to accept something without protest, or tending to comply or yield to the demands or influence of others.
Etymology
The word comes from the Latin verb 'acquiescere,' meaning to find rest in or to agree to. It entered English in the 17th century to describe the act of accepting something quietly or without resistance.
In the news
The article uses this word to describe a specific social behavioral pattern where autistic adults with social anxiety are more likely to yield control to others. This is presented as a potential adaptive response to social ambiguity rather than an inherent weakness.
Enlarged amygdala linked to a distinct social anxiety profile in autistic adults
Read the full article ↗PsyPost