Acknowledge vs. Realize — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 9, 2024
Acknowledge means to accept or admit the truth or existence of something. Realize involves coming to understand or become aware of a fact or situation.
Difference Between Acknowledge and Realize
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Key Differences
Acknowledge is about openly admitting or recognizing the presence of something, like acknowledging someone's achievements. Realize, however, refers to a gradual process of understanding or becoming aware of a concept or truth.
Acknowledge often implies a public or direct form of recognition, such as in conversations or writing. Realize is more introspective and personal, involving internal comprehension.
Acknowledge can carry a sense of formal acceptance or validation, like acknowledging a problem or receipt of a document. Realize emphasizes the cognitive process of grasping information, like realizing a mistake or opportunity.
Acknowledge is proactive, often requiring action or response, like acknowledging an email or someone's help. Realize usually happens internally, when someone's understanding of a concept evolves over time.
Acknowledge is commonly used in social and professional settings for interactions, whereas realize is often used in personal reflections or expressions of understanding.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Accept or admit the truth/existence of
Become aware or understand
Nature
Public or direct recognition
Internal understanding
Implication
Often requires a response
May or may not lead to action
Example
"They acknowledged the team's contribution."
"She realized her mistake and apologized."
Usage Context
Social, professional
Personal, introspective
Compare with Definitions
Acknowledge
To admit or recognize the truth or existence of something.
He acknowledged his mistake and promised to improve.
Realize
To achieve or fulfill a goal or ambition.
The team realized its dream of winning the championship.
Acknowledge
To express gratitude or appreciation.
I acknowledge your help in preparing the report.
Realize
To become aware or understand something.
She realized she had left her keys at home.
Acknowledge
To show recognition of someone's presence or work.
The company acknowledged her years of dedicated service.
Realize
To gain financially from an asset or investment.
He realized a profit from selling his shares.
Acknowledge
To accept a fact or condition as valid.
They acknowledged the urgency of the climate crisis.
Realize
To bring a concept or idea into reality.
They realized the plan to expand their business.
Acknowledge
To confirm receipt of a message or item.
Please acknowledge receipt of this email.
Realize
To grasp the significance or impact of a fact.
He realized how much his decision affected others.
Acknowledge
Accept or admit the existence or truth of
The plight of the refugees was acknowledged by the authorities
The government acknowledged that the tax was unfair
‘That's true,’ she acknowledged
Realize
Become fully aware of (something) as a fact; understand clearly
They realized that something was wrong
He realized his mistake at once
Acknowledge
Recognize the importance or quality of
The hotel is widely acknowledged as one of Cornwall's finest
The art world has begun to acknowledge his genius
Realize
Cause to happen
His worst fears have been realized
Acknowledge
Show that one has noticed or recognized (someone) by making a gesture or greeting
She refused to acknowledge my presence
Realize
Give actual or physical form to
The stage designs have been beautifully realized
Acknowledge
To admit the existence or truth of
The doctors acknowledged that the treatment had not been successful.
Realize
Make (a profit) from a transaction
She realized a profit of $100,000
Acknowledge
To express recognition of; make notice of
"When he saw me acknowledge him, he smiled as if we were dear friends" (Angela Patrinos).
Realize
To comprehend completely or correctly.
Acknowledge
To express gratitude or appreciation for or to
Acknowledged the contributions of the volunteers.
Acknowledged her editor in the preface to the book.
Realize
To bring into reality; make real
He finally realized his lifelong ambition to learn how to play the violin.
Acknowledge
To report the receipt of (something) to the sender or giver
Acknowledge a letter.
Realize
To make realistic
A film that realizes court life of the 1600s.
Acknowledge
(Law) To accept or certify as legally binding
Acknowledge a deed of ownership.
Realize
To obtain or achieve, as gain or profit
She realized a substantial return on the investment.
Acknowledge
(transitive) To admit the knowledge of; to recognize as a fact or truth; to declare one's belief in
To acknowledge the being of a god
Realize
To bring in (a sum) as profit by sale.
Acknowledge
(transitive) To own or recognize in a particular quality, character or relationship; to admit the claims or authority of; to give recognition to.
Realize
To exchange holdings or goods for money.
Acknowledge
(transitive) To be grateful of (e.g. a benefit or a favour)
To acknowledge a favor
Realize
To make real; to convert from the imaginary or fictitious into reality; to bring into real existence
The objectives of the project were never fully realized.
Acknowledge
(transitive) To report (the receipt of a message to its sender).
This is to acknowledge your kind invitation to participate in the upcoming debate.
Realize
(transitive) To become aware of (a fact or situation, especially of something that has been true for a long time).
He realized that he had left his umbrella on the train.
The defendant desperately yelled at her young daughter, frantic to make her realize what she had done.
Acknowledge
(transitive) To own as genuine or valid; to assent to (a legal instrument) to give it validity; to avow or admit in legal form.
Realize
(transitive) To cause to seem real to other people.
Acknowledge
To own or admit the knowledge of; to recognize as a fact or truth; to declare one's belief in; as, to acknowledge the being of a God.
I acknowledge my transgressions.
For ends generally acknowledged to be good.
Realize
(transitive) To sense vividly or strongly; to make one's own in thought or experience.
Acknowledge
To own or recognize in a particular character or relationship; to admit the claims or authority of; to give recognition to.
In all thy ways acknowledge Him.
By my soul, I'll ne'er acknowledge thee.
Realize
To acquire as an actual possession; to obtain as the result of plans and efforts; to gain; to get
To realize large profits from a speculation
Acknowledge
To own with gratitude or as a benefit or an obligation; as, to acknowledge a favor, the receipt of a letter.
They his gifts acknowledged none.
Realize
To convert any kind of property into money, especially property representing investments, such as shares, bonds, etc.
Profits from the investment can be realized at any time by selling the shares.
By realizing the company's assets, the liquidator was able to return most of the shareholders’ investments.
Acknowledge
To own as genuine; to assent to, as a legal instrument, to give it validity; to avow or admit in legal form; as, to acknowledge a deed.
Realize
To convert into real property; to make real estate of.
Acknowledge
Declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of;
He admitted his errors
She acknowledged that she might have forgotten
Realize
To turn an abstract linguistic object into actual language, especially said of a phoneme's conversion into speech sound.
The southern /v/ is realized as the voiced approximant [ʋ].
Acknowledge
Report the receipt of;
The program committee acknowledged the submission of the authors of the paper
Realize
To make real; to convert from the imaginary or fictitious into the actual; to bring into concrete existence; to effectuate; to accomplish; as, to realize a scheme or project.
We realize what Archimedes had only in hypothesis, weighing a single grain against the globe of earth.
Acknowledge
Express recognition of the presence or existence of, or acquaintance with;
He never acknowledges his colleagues when they run into him in the hallway
She acknowledged his complement with a smile
It is important to acknowledge the work of others in one's own writing
Realize
To cause to seem real; to impress upon the mind as actual; to feel vividly or strongly; to make one's own in apprehension or experience.
Many coincidences . . . soon begin to appear in them [Greek inscriptions] which realize ancient history to us.
We can not realize it in thought, that the object . . . had really no being at any past moment.
Acknowledge
Express obligation, thanks, or gratitude for;
We must acknowledge the kindness she showed towards us
Realize
To convert into real property; to make real estate of; as, to realize his fortune.
Acknowledge
Accept as legally binding and valid;
Acknowledge the deed
Realize
To acquire as an actual possession; to obtain as the result of plans and efforts; to gain; to get; as, to realize large profits from a speculation.
Knighthood was not beyond the reach of any man who could by diligent thrift realize a good estate.
Acknowledge
Accept (someone) to be what is claimed or accept his power and authority;
The Crown Prince was acknowledged as the true heir to the throne
We do not recognize your gods
Realize
To convert into actual money; as, to realize assets.
Realize
To convert any kind of property into money, especially property representing investments, as shares in stock companies, bonds, etc.
Wary men took the alarm, and began to realize, a word now first brought into use to express the conversion of ideal property into something real.
Realize
Be fully aware or cognizant of
Realize
Perceive (an idea or situation) mentally;
Now I see!
I just can't see your point
Does she realize how important this decision is?
I don't understand the idea
Realize
Make real or concrete; give reality or substance to;
Our ideas must be substantiated into actions
Realize
Earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages;
How much do you make a month in your new job?
She earns a lot in her new job
This merger brought in lots of money
He clears $5,000 each month
Realize
Convert into cash; of goods and property
Realize
Expand or complete (a thorough-based part in a piece of baroque music) by supplying the harmonies indicated in the figured bass
Common Curiosities
Is acknowledging always a formal process?
Not necessarily; it can be informal, like acknowledging a friend with a smile.
Can acknowledging lead to further actions?
Yes, acknowledging often implies taking further action or providing a response.
Is realizing about learning something new?
Not always; it can also mean understanding an existing concept in a new way.
Does realizing require external confirmation?
No, realizing usually involves internal comprehension without external validation.
Is acknowledging always verbal?
No, it can also be non-verbal, like nodding or sending a thank-you note.
Can you acknowledge something you don't fully understand?
Yes, you can acknowledge someone's point without fully agreeing or understanding.
Does realizing always involve a gradual process?
Usually, but realizations can sometimes happen suddenly as an "aha" moment.
Does realizing usually lead to behavioral change?
It often does, as realizing a truth can alter one's perspective or actions.
Is acknowledging suitable for professional communication?
Yes, acknowledging receipt of emails or contributions is common in professional settings.
Is acknowledging often tied to social norms?
Yes, acknowledging others or events is considered courteous and respectful.
Can realizing be used interchangeably with understanding?
Not always, as understanding implies deeper comprehension, while realizing is more about awareness.
Can realizing help with problem-solving?
Yes, realizing an issue or mistake is the first step toward resolving it.
Do both terms suggest a positive outcome?
They can, as acknowledging support builds relationships and realizing truths promotes personal growth.
Does acknowledging imply agreement?
Not necessarily; you can acknowledge a viewpoint without agreeing with it.
Can realizing help achieve personal goals?
Yes, realizing opportunities or obstacles can help refine strategies for success.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
