concede

verb con·cede \kən-ˈsēd\

: 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

con·ced·edcon·ced·ing

Full Definition of CONCEDE

transitive verb

: to grant as a right or privilege

a : to accept as true, valid, or accurate <the right of the state to tax is generally conceded>

b (1) : to acknowledge grudgingly or hesitantly <conceded that it might be a good idea> (2) : to relinquish grudgingly or hesitantly <concede power>

intransitive verb

: to make concession : yield

— con·ced·ed·ly \-ˈsē-dəd-lē\ adverb

— con·ced·er noun

See concede defined for English-language learners

See concede defined for kids

Examples of CONCEDE

… 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
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Origin of CONCEDE

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

First Known Use: 1626

Related to CONCEDE

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

Antonyms: deny

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 Kids