concede

[ kuhn-seed ]

verb (used with object)

, con·ced·ed, con·ced·ing.

1. to acknowledge as true, just, or proper; admit:

   He finally conceded that she was right.

   Synonyms: grant

   Antonyms: deny

2. to acknowledge (an opponent's victory, score, etc.) before it is officially established:

   to concede an election before all the votes are counted.

3. to grant as a right or privilege; yield:

   to concede a longer vacation for all employees.

   Antonyms: refuse

verb (used without object)

, con·ced·ed, con·ced·ing.

1. to make a concession; yield to pressure or circumstances; admit defeat:

   She was so persistent that I conceded at last.

   My favorite candidate conceded before the polls were even closed!

concede

/ kənˈsiːd /

verb

1. when tr, may take a clause as object to admit or acknowledge (something) as true or correct
2. to yield or allow (something, such as a right)
3. tr to admit as certain in outcome

   to concede an election

Derived Forms

• conˈceder, noun
• conˈcededly, adverb

Other Words From

• con·ced·er noun
• con·ces·si·ble [k, uh, n-, ses, -, uh, -b, uh, l], adjective
• pre·con·cede verb (used with object) preconceded preconceding
• un·con·ced·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of concede¹

First recorded in 1625–35; from Latin concēdere, equivalent to con- con- + cēdere “to withdraw, yield”; cede

Word History and Origins

Origin of concede¹

C17: from Latin concēdere, from cēdere to give way, cede

Example Sentences

That night, Rollins did not concede, writing in a statement that mailed and conditional ballots were still being counted and that the race was “too close to call.”

From Los Angeles Times

All the major news networks have declared Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., the victor in her re-election race, but her GOP opponent is refusing to concede.

From Salon

"Wisconsin voters made their voices heard. It's time for Hovde to stop this disgusting attack on our democracy and concede," she wrote.

From Salon

Trump did not extend the same courtesy to Biden in 2020, hampering the transition, as he refused to concede that Biden won that election.

From Los Angeles Times

“I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign,” she said to her disappointed supporters gathered at Howard University.

From Slate

Related Words

• accept
• admit
• allow
• capitulate
• cave in
• cede
• confess
• give up
• grant
• hand over
• quit
• relinquish
• surrender
• yield