Word
concede
Meanings
to admit that something is true or that someone else is right, often reluctantly
to give up a contest, position, or claim; to accept defeat
to allow something to happen or to grant something after refusing at first
Definition
To concede means to admit something is true or to give way, often after resisting or debating.
To concede is to acknowledge that an argument, point, or fact is correct, especially after disagreement. It can also mean to stop resisting and allow something to happen, or to accept defeat in a competition. The verb often suggests reluctance or pressure from evidence or circumstances.
Examples
- I concede that your interpretation fits the evidence better than mine.
- She conceded defeat after realizing she could not catch up in the final lap.
- They conceded that the deadline was unrealistic and agreed to revise the schedule.
- He refused to concede any ground during the negotiation, even when the data contradicted him.
- You may have to concede the point if you cannot support your claim with sources.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse "concede" with "convince" and say "I concede him" instead of "I concede that he is right" or "He convinced me."
More at C1 level
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More verbs
- analyze To examine something carefully in order to understand it or explain it.
- scrutinize To scrutinize something is to examine it very carefully and in detail.
- affect To affect something is to influence it or cause it to change.
- allude To allude means to mention or suggest something indirectly without saying it clearly.
- elude To elude someone or something is to avoid being caught, understood, or remembered.