concede

verb con·cede \ kən-ˈsēd \

Updated on: 16 May 2018

Definition of concede

conceded; conceding

transitive verb

1 a (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

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concededly

play \kən-ˈsē-dəd-lē\ adverb

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conceder

noun

See concede defined for English-language learners

See concede defined for kids

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.

Recent Examples of concede from the Web

The Lions conceded first in seven of their nine games so far this season.

— jordan culver, Pro Soccer USA, "Orlando City has proven it can win without scoring first," 10 May 2018
Portland, which conceded the fewest goals in the NWSL in each of the last two seasons, has also allowed a disappointing 10 goals in seven games this year.

— jamie goldberg, OregonLive.com, "Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic scores, but Portland Thorns settle for 1-1 draw with Houston Dash," 9 May 2018
Former members of Google’s self-driving team and outside experts concede that Waymo indeed appears to have a major head start in the field, but acknowledge that its competitors are likely to catch up eventually.

— andrew j. hawkins, The Verge, "Inside Waymo’s strategy to grow the best brains for self-driving cars," 9 May 2018
Head coach Rennie Martin's side has conceded just two goals in five games, and Indy hasn't lost since Cincinnati's Emery Welshman condemned them to defeat in the teams' first meeting.

— patrick brennan, Cincinnati.com, "FC Cincinnati continues busy week at Indy Eleven," 1 May 2018
The film’s director, Max Powers, conceded in a phone interview from Toronto that the editing suggested things that didn’t quite happen and that there had been a possible breach of documentary ethics.

— john anderson, New York Times, "Bowery Club Poets Take Issue With Documentary," 1 May 2018
Privately, a city official conceded that that was most likely the case.

— jeff huebner, Chicago Reader, "What ever happened to the King Memorial Mural at 43rd and Langley?," 24 Apr. 2018
Orlando City scored early on the New York Red Bulls, then trailed 2-1, led 3-2, conceded in the 82nd, and won 4-3 in the 88th.

— jonathan tannenwald, Philly.com, "As Union's offense stalls, Borek Dockal sees 'a lot of room to improve'," 3 Apr. 2018
But a team that conceded the fewest goals in the league in three of the previous six years has allowed seven goals through three matches, more than anyone in MLS.

— sam mcdowell, kansascity, "Peter Vermes scoffed at the idea that Sporting KC’s defense is a concern. Here’s why | The Kansas City Star," 23 Mar. 2018

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.

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.

Origin and Etymology of concede

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1626

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

See Words from the same year

concede Synonyms

Phrases

come clean (about);

Synonym Discussion of 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

CONCEDE Defined for English Language Learners

concede

verb

Definition of concede for English Language Learners

: 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