2
general::
verb admit/recognize ADV. fully | freely, readily | clearly, explicitly | effectively, implicitly, tacitly The peace settlement effectively acknowledged the country's independence. | formally, officially | openly, publicly He acknowledged publicly that he might have made a mistake. | privately | reluctantly, ruefully VERB + ACKNOWLEDGE fail to, refuse to | be forced to Mental illness can exist for years before families are forced to acknowledge the truth. PHRASES be generally/universally/widely acknowledged a truth that is universally acknowledged reply to letter ADV. duly The company duly acknowledged receipt of the letter. | hereby I hereby acknowledge receipt of your letter of 25 July.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary