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concede

verb
con·​cede | \ kən-ˈsēd How to pronounce concede (audio) \
conceded; conceding

Definition of concede

transitive verb

1a(1) : to acknowledge grudgingly or hesitantly conceded that it might be a good idea
(2) : to relinquish grudgingly or hesitantly concede power
b : to accept as true, valid, or accurate The right of the state to tax is generally conceded.
2 : to grant as a right or privilege Britain conceded the independence of the colonies.

intransitive verb

: to make concession : yield
Other Words from concede Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Politics and Concede More Example Sentences Learn More about concede

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Other Words from concede

concededly \ kən-​ˈsē-​dəd-​lē How to pronounce concededly (audio) \ adverb
conceder noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for concede

Synonyms

acknowledge, admit, agree, allow, confess, fess (up), grant, own (up to)

Antonyms

deny

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Choose the Right Synonym for concede

grant, concede, vouchsafe, accord, award mean to give as a favor or a right. grant implies giving to a claimant or petitioner something that could be withheld. granted them a new hearing concede implies yielding something reluctantly in response to a rightful or compelling claim. even her critics concede she can be charming vouchsafe implies granting something as a courtesy or an act of gracious condescension. vouchsafed the secret to only a few chosen disciples accord implies giving to another what is due or proper. accorded all the honors befitting a head of state award implies giving what is deserved or merited usually after a careful weighing of pertinent factors. awarded the company a huge defense contract

Politics and Concede

After the votes have been counted, one candidate traditionally concedes the election to his or her opponent by giving a concession speech. If you're lucky, your boss will concede that she was wrong the last time she criticized you. But in the middle of an argument, we're not all so good at conceding that the other guy might have a good point.

Examples of concede in a Sentence


 he conceded that with six kids, something like this was bound to happen. At least one of them had to be a bad egg. — Markus Zusak, The Book Thief, 2005 
 it was generally conceded that Caepio, if and when tried for treason under the present system, would be acquitted. — Colleen McCullough, The First Man in Rome, (1990) 1991 
 after listening to Tom, he conceded that there were some conspicuous advantages about a life of crime, and so he consented to be a pirate. — Mark Twain, Tom Sawyer, 1876 I concede that the work has been slow so far, but it should speed up soon. “Your plan might work,” she conceded, “but I still think mine is better.” Although it seems clear that he has lost the election, he still refuses to concede. He's not ready to concede the election. The former ruler was forced to concede power to a new government. The company says that workers are not conceding enough in negotiations.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Chief Executive Carrie Lam has refused to rule out invoking broad emergency powers, and Reuters reported this week that Beijing had quashed Lam's proposal to concede to some of the protest movement's five demands. — Caitlin Hu, CNN, "Hong Kong girds for airport "stress test" after violent night," 1 Sep. 2019 Nevertheless, Gudino said the campaign was not ready to concede. — Washington Post, "Phoenix voters say ‘yes’ to expanding light rail system," 28 Aug. 2019 But as Le Texier is quick to concede in an interview from Paris, his debunking of the experiment may be a case of closing the barn door after the horse has run off. — Noam Cohen, WIRED, "Beware the Epiphany-Industrial Complex," 19 Aug. 2019 De La Salle head coach Justin Alumbaugh and his longtime coaching staff, which includes the program’s architects, Bob Ladouceur and Terry Eidson, aren’t ready to concede anything. — Mitch Stephens, SFChronicle.com, "Lincoln Mustangs football team moves beyond last year’s ‘perfect storm’," 5 Aug. 2019 Mr Ricci is quick to concede that the design of Van Cise-Simonet is not perfect. — The Economist, "A jail in Denver offers some lessons for criminal-justice reformers," 28 June 2019 Since taking over, Naeher has been about as likely to record a shutout (27) as to concede a goal (28). — Steven Goff, courant.com, "US goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, a Connecticut native, should face first real World Cup test vs. Sweden," 17 June 2019 Still, Shorten’s move to concede defeat late Saturday night confirmed a resounding victory for the Morrison administration. — Trevor Marshallsea, The Seattle Times, "Australia’s leader vows to get back to work after shock win," 19 May 2019 Ross exited to a standing ovation from the crowd of 30,130 after conceding five hits and one run in 6 2/3 innings. — Bobby Nightengale, Cincinnati.com, "Cincinnati Reds lose their 3rd consecutive game as bats go quiet in loss to Washington Nationals," 14 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'concede.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of concede

1626, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

History and Etymology for concede

French or Latin; French concéder, from Latin concedere, from com- + cedere to yield

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More Definitions for concede

concede

verb
How to pronounce concede (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of concede

: to say that you accept or do not deny the truth or existence of (something) : to admit (something) usually in an unwilling way
: to admit that you have been defeated and stop trying to win
: to give away (something) usually in an unwilling way

See the full definition for concede in the English Language Learners Dictionary

concede

verb
con·​cede | \ kən-ˈsēd How to pronounce concede (audio) \
conceded; conceding

Kids Definition of concede

1 : to admit to be true The candidate had to concede defeat.
2 : to grant or yield usually unwillingly Britain conceded the independence of the colonies.

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