She 'is' widely/generally 'acknowledged' as one of the world's best chefs. [=many people regard her as one of the world's best chefs]
He refuses to 'acknowledge' the authority of the court. [=he denies that the court has authority]
The players 'acknowledged' their fans by waving their hands and blowing kisses into the crowd.
(..) - What? - Davina. You wanna go to college, Davina? You should learn to listen. I didn't say I respected laws. I acknowledge a cop's authority. I don't respect laws that let monkeys like Rodney King on the street. Second, I am not, as you well know... ...a member of a low-rent, disorganized (..)1998 American History X
(..) They're in a better position to make that call than you are. In fact, we as society, grant cops a certain amount of authority to make those calls... ...because we acknowledge that their job is difficult and dangerous. You know? Unfortunately, very few people, like, respect that authority. (..)1998 American History X