1
as in admitting
to accept the truth or existence of (something) usually reluctantly
she grudgingly conceded his point
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in succumbing
to cease resistance (as to another's arguments, demands, or control)
he conceded as soon as it became clear that he could not win
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of conceding
Manager Herve Renard led them to an incredible victory over favourites Ivory Coast in the final, despite their opponents not conceding a goal during the entire tournament (Zambia won the trophy on penalties after a 0-0 draw).
—
Tim Spiers, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
And if this week has been any indication, the players may be closer to conceding ground than owners.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 5 Mar. 2026
Crockett lost the Democratic nomination to run for the Senate in Texas, conceding early Wednesday morning.
—Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 4 Mar. 2026
That doesn’t excuse the fact that the Lakers led by as many as 13 points in both games, conceding swings that cost them an opportunity to potentially separate themselves in the Western Conference logjam and left them in sixth place with the Play-In Tournament teams creeping right below.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 27 Feb. 2026
In the nineteenth century, travel to remote frontiers beyond the reach of telegraph had insulated Britain’s men on the spot from London’s authority, conceding them the freedom to seize new territory.
—Alfred McCoy, Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026
Mittelstädt atoned for conceding the spot kick by converting another penalty for 2-2 in the 44th.
—ABC News, 22 Feb. 2026
Iranian negotiators are not authorized to cross that boundary, and conceding on missiles would be viewed internally as equivalent to losing a war.
—Greg Norman-Diamond, FOXNews.com, 21 Feb. 2026
None of the players moved after conceding the winner.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
Tim Spiers, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
And if this week has been any indication, the players may be closer to conceding ground than owners.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 5 Mar. 2026
Crockett lost the Democratic nomination to run for the Senate in Texas, conceding early Wednesday morning.
—Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 4 Mar. 2026
That doesn’t excuse the fact that the Lakers led by as many as 13 points in both games, conceding swings that cost them an opportunity to potentially separate themselves in the Western Conference logjam and left them in sixth place with the Play-In Tournament teams creeping right below.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 27 Feb. 2026
In the nineteenth century, travel to remote frontiers beyond the reach of telegraph had insulated Britain’s men on the spot from London’s authority, conceding them the freedom to seize new territory.
—Alfred McCoy, Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026
Mittelstädt atoned for conceding the spot kick by converting another penalty for 2-2 in the 44th.
—ABC News, 22 Feb. 2026
Iranian negotiators are not authorized to cross that boundary, and conceding on missiles would be viewed internally as equivalent to losing a war.
—Greg Norman-Diamond, FOXNews.com, 21 Feb. 2026
None of the players moved after conceding the winner.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conceding
Verb
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Hallucinations by large language models are a result of their training, when they are rewarded for grasping for an answer instead of admitting uncertainty.—
Parmy Olson,
Mercury News,
7 Mar. 2026
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The Leeds manager was sanctioned with misconduct by the Football Association (FA), and after admitting the charge, was handed the standard one-game suspension plus an £8,000 fine.—
Ali Rampling,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Yet Guardiola has not made his reputation as one of the greatest coaches in history by succumbing to end-of-season pressure.—
Daniel Taylor,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2026
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Hind's cousin was later killed in another close-range attack, while Hind died several hours later after succumbing to wounds while waiting for help.—
Alexander Durie,
Time,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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So did confessing to a crime, oddly.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
3 Mar. 2026
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After finally confessing to their bosses about these secret missions, they were allowed to continue.—
Costa Beavin Pappas,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But UConn faltered in the second half, surrendering a 20-4 run and at one point going nearly eight minutes between field goals.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
7 Mar. 2026
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Second- and third-round picks usually only return depth players at the deadline, but Columbus has acquired a legitimate difference-maker with term beyond this season without surrendering a first-round pick or any prospects.—
Shayna Goldman,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Attorneys for Meta say the company discloses risks and makes efforts to weed out harmful content and experiences -- acknowledging that some bad material still gets through its safety net.—
MORGAN LEE THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
6 Mar. 2026
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Attorneys for Meta say the company discloses risks and makes efforts to weed out harmful content and experiences — acknowledging that some bad material still gets through its safety net.—
Morgan Lee,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The deadline for submitting a bid for either of the two properties will be April 30.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Mar. 2026
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That scheme was carried out by submitting false and fraudulent applications for benefits under programs such as the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program and other unemployment insurance programs.—
Chris Ramirez,
jsonline.com,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The company has previously rejected the court’s ruling and the Chinese government has accused Panama’s government of bowing to United States pressure.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Feb. 2026
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And there was certainly no sign any of the gubernatorial candidates plan to give up, bowing to concerns their large number could divide the Democratic vote and allow a pair of Republicans to slip through and emerge from California’s top-two primary.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Conceding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conceding. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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