Synonym Chooser

How does the verb concede contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of concede are accord, award, grant, and vouchsafe. While all these words mean "to give as a favor or a right," concede implies yielding something reluctantly in response to a rightful or compelling claim.

even her critics concede she can be charming

In what contexts can accord take the place of concede?

The synonyms accord and concede are sometimes interchangeable, but accord implies giving to another what is due or proper.

accorded all the honors befitting a head of state

When can award be used instead of concede?

In some situations, the words award and concede are roughly equivalent. However, award implies giving what is deserved or merited usually after a careful weighing of pertinent factors.

awarded the company a huge defense contract

When is it sensible to use grant instead of concede?

The meanings of grant and concede largely overlap; however, grant implies giving to a claimant or petitioner something that could be withheld.

granted them a new hearing

When could vouchsafe be used to replace concede?

The words vouchsafe and concede can be used in similar contexts, but vouchsafe implies granting something as a courtesy or an act of gracious condescension.

vouchsafed the secret to only a few chosen disciples

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of concede Her top opponent, Levar Stoney, conceded on Wednesday. Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 18 June 2025 Lamont insists Connecticut’s budget controls remain strong but conceded that convincing Democratic lawmakers to adhere to them wasn’t easy. Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 17 June 2025 On environmental impact, Tang conceded that the company needs to cut its carbon emissions on transport. Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 16 June 2025 Both players were sloppy in the first set, conceding 21 break-point chances and making 48 unforced errors between them, with Sabalenka making 32 yet still winning the set. Jerome Pugmire, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for concede
Recent Examples of Synonyms for concede
Verb
  • Adler responded by encouraging others to express interest in running the simulation for their organization (there is a form to fill out), but admitted that forecasts and predictions are hard.
    Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 26 June 2025
  • Nobody admits that all this activity serves as cover for avoiding the work that scares us: making real decisions, shipping imperfect products, having difficult conversations.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • Most of the resulting plants succumbed to rust; the few that made it were crossed with one another to produce the next generation.
    Elizabeth Kolbert, New Yorker, 23 June 2025
  • Don’t succumb to the urge to overfertilize, which leads to other problems. 4.
    Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • That myth has been debunked — a publicity agent confessed in 2010 that the company made it up.
    Rachel Treisman, NPR, 17 June 2025
  • Randle allegedly confessed to lying about the kidnapping, CBS News reported, citing charging documents.
    Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 12 June 2025
Verb
  • Science Homecoming, a nonprofit that promotes public engagement by scientists, also offered free editorial feedback to any contributor who submitted a draft.
    John Drake, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
  • To submit events To submit a community event for online publication, email information at least two weeks before the event to lake@orlandosentinel.com.
    Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • The city of Live Oak acknowledged Pamma’s arrest in a statement and declined further comment.
    Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 27 June 2025
  • However, both executives acknowledged current economic challenges in the streaming sector.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Left-hander José Castillo surrendered RBI singles to Eli White and Nick Allen.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 25 June 2025
  • Dominic Canzone’s sixth-inning home run was the seventh run Ober gave up, marking the second time in three starts that Ober has surrendered seven runs.
    Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • His quest to get out of Phoenix became relatively painless, as the Suns reportedly agreed to trade him to the Houston Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, this year’s 10th pick and five second-round selections.
    Zach Harper, New York Times, 22 June 2025
  • The Phoenix Suns reportedly agreed to trade Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets on Sunday, marking one of the first major moves of the NBA offseason.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Concede.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/concede. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

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