Concede
/kənˈsiːd/
verbB2
Definition
Concede means to agree that something is true or right, often after some discussion or disagreement. It can also mean to give up or admit defeat, especially in a competition or argument. People usually concede when they realize they cannot win or when they accept facts they first rejected.
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See It in Action
Admit something is true or correct, often after initially denying it
- •After hours of discussion, she finally conceded that her plan had flaws.
- •He conceded the point during the debate when he saw the evidence.
- •The politician conceded that the new law might have some problems.
Give up or admit defeat in a contest or argument
- •The team conceded the match after the other side scored the winning goal.
- •He conceded the election when the votes showed he lost.
- •She conceded the argument because she had no more points to make.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "concede" like "say yes," but after some thinking or fighting—it's when you finally accept something you didn't want to at first.
- ✓Picture a sports player raising their hand to show they lost the game or a person nodding slowly after an argument.
- ✓It's the feeling when you say, "Okay, you are right" even if you didn't want to admit it before.
- ✓Sounds like "con-CEED" → imagine someone planting a flag to show they accept or give up.
- ✓Think of a chess game where one player says, "I concede," meaning they accept defeat and stop playing.
- ✓NOT like "agree" (which can be easy and quick), "concede" often happens after some resistance or argument.
- ✓NOT like "give up" fully (which can mean stopping all effort), "concede" is more about admitting a point or defeat clearly.
- ✓NOT like "deny" (say no), "concede" means the opposite: to admit or accept.
Try Other Words
- •Acknowledge: accept or recognize something (Use when you want to show polite or formal acceptance)
- •Yield: give up or stop resisting (Use when someone gives up control or power)
- •Give in: stop resisting or arguing (Use in informal situations when someone stops fighting against something)
Unboxing
- •Prefix "con-" means "together" or "with"
- •Root "cede" comes from Latin "cedere," meaning "to go" or "to yield"
- •The word originally meant to "go along with" or "yield" to something
- •Over time, it came to mean admitting or giving up in arguments or contests
- •Today, it is often used in formal or serious contexts like politics, sports, or debates
Reflect & Connect
•When is it difficult to concede a point in a conversation or argument? Why do people resist admitting they are wrong?
•Can conceding sometimes be a smart or strong choice instead of a weak one? How can admitting defeat help in real life?
Fill in the blanks
1.The candidate conceded the election ___ the final vote count showed a clear loss.
2.She refused to concede her mistake until she saw ___ evidence.
3.After a long debate, he conceded ___ the other person had a better idea.
4.The team conceded the game ___ the last-minute goal by their opponents.
5.People often find it hard to concede ___ they are wrong because of pride.
6.When a player concedes, it usually means they ___ continuing the contest.
7.The manager conceded that the project had problems but ___ to find solutions.