concede meaning and examples

Meaning

The verb concede means to admit, often unwillingly, that something is true or valid. It can also mean to give up or allow something, especially in the context of a competition, argument, or debate.

Grammar and Usage

• Part of speech: Verb (transitive/intransitive)

• Typical patterns:

  • concede (that) + clause: to admit something is true.
  • concede sth to sb: to grant or allow something.
  • concede defeat: to accept that you have lost.

Common Phrases

• concede defeat – admit that you have lost.
• concede a point – accept an opponent’s argument.
• reluctantly concede – admit something with hesitation.
• concede a goal – in sports, to allow the opposing team to score.

Collocations

• verb + concede: reluctantly concede, finally concede, refuse to concede
• concede + noun: defeat, point, goal, argument, election
• concede + that: concede that he was wrong, concede that the plan failed

Examples

1. She finally conceded that she had made a mistake.
2. After a long debate, he conceded the point to his opponent.
3. The candidate conceded defeat after the election results were announced.
4. Our team conceded two goals in the first half.
5. He was forced to concede power to the opposition.
6. They refused to concede any territory during the negotiations.
7. The manager reluctantly conceded that sales were declining.
8. The president conceded defeat gracefully in his speech.

Synonyms or Related

• admit
• acknowledge
• yield
• surrender
• grant
• allow