concede
kuhn-SEED
/kənˈsiːd/
To admit that something is true or valid after first denying or resisting it; to yield a right or privilege.
Implies a reluctant admission of defeat or truth, often in an argument, election, or debate.
The story behind the word. From Latin concedere, from com- (completely) + cedere (to yield, withdraw, go away).
Word relationships
- admit: Admit is general, while concede is a reluctant admission of truth or defeat in an argument.
- deny: Deny is to declare untrue, while concede is to admit as true.
Commonly confused with
- confess: Confess is to admit guilt or a secret, while concede is to admit a point in a debate.
Word family
- concession (noun): A thing that is granted, especially in response to demands.
- concessive (adjective): Expressing concession.
Collocations
- concede defeat
- concede a point
- reluctantly concede
Example sentences
- "The candidate was forced to concede the election after the final votes were counted." A political concession speech.
Memory hook
In a debate, when you concede, you seed the ground to your opponent because their point is undeniably true. Concede = Reluctantly yield the point.
When not to use
Do not use when you are happily agreeing with someone from the start.
Fun facts
- Concede shares the root cedere with proceed, recede, and succeed, all dealing with movement or yielding.
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